• The first innings end as Bangladesh manage to put 246 runs on board after 50 overs. Kiwis are eyeing for an easy win here
• Some late fireworks by Mahmudullah reignites Bangladesh's hopes for a competitive total; score reaches 225/9 in 48 overs
  
• Kiwis are in complete control as the score reaches 214/8 in 45 overs
• Mushfiqur Rahim's resilience comes to an end as Matt Henry dismisses him at 66 of 75 balls. Score reaches 175/6 in 36 overs
• Mushfiqur Rahim remains a key figure for Bangladesh, aiming to steer the innings forward after the fall of Shakib's wicket. BAN 168/5 in 35 overs
  
• OUT! Shakib Al Hasan's resilient innings comes to an end as Lockie Ferguson claims the crucial wicket. Score reaches 152/5 in 30 overs
• 50 for Musfikur Rahim! A great knock under pressure by the Bangladeshi wicket-keeper as he completes his 48th ODI half-century. Bangladesh 132/4 in 28 overs
• Both the Bangladesh batsman are looking set now as the score reaches 124/4 in 26 overs
• 21 overs completed as Bangladesh reach 100/4
  
• 15 overs completed as Bangladesh reach 73/4
  
• OUT! Glenn Phillips removes Najmul Hossain Shanto for 7 (8 balls). Bangladesh are at serious trouble as score reaches 56/4
  
• Lockie Ferguson strikes again! Mehidy Hasan Miraz departs for 30 (46 balls). Score reaches 56/3 in 12 overs
• OUT! Lockie Ferguson strikes for the Kiwis as Tanzid Hasan departs for 16 of 17 balls. Bangladesh 40/2 after 8 overs
• Trent Boult strikes in the first ball! Bangladesh opener Litton Das is dismissed for a golden duck and Kiwis are eyeing for an early advantage in the match
• New Zealand won both their matches to sit in the second position in the points table, while Bangladesh won one and lost one in their opening two games of the ODI showpiece
  
• Meanwhile, Bangladesh also made a change, bringing in Mahmudullah for Mahedi Hasan
  
• Kane Williamson is back to lead the Kiwis after missing the opening two matches to regain match fitness following his recovery from a knee injury that he suffered during IPL 2023. He happens to be the only change for New Zealand, replacing Will Young, reports PTI
  
• New Zealand wins the toss and elects to bowl against Bangladesh in their third match in the world cup

Fortified by the return of inspirational captain and premier batter Kane Williamson, a high-flying New Zealand will believe that they can ward off a spin-heavy Bangladesh to consolidate their position on top of the table during their World Cup match here on Friday.

The Kiwis (NRR: +1.958) have four points now, same as India (NRR: +1.5) and Pakistan (NRR: +0.92) but a better Net Run Rate has kept them ahead, and a win here will free them from the chasing pack for the time being.

In that context, the arrival of Williamson, who has sufficiently recovered from a post ACL injury surgery, benefits them on two counts.

Williamson is a shrewd captain who knows the ebb and flow of ODIs, and he is an excellent batter against spin, a quality that he might have to conjure against a capable Bangladesh unit on a slow Chepauk pitch.

Williamson had missed the Kiwis' matches against England and Netherlands as Tom Latham had stood in as New Zealand captain in those games.

"For me, it's been quite a journey (since my injury). Excited to be back in the World Cup squad. I am looking forward to it," said Willamson on Thursday during his pre-match press meet.

But the Black Caps will continue to miss the services of senior pacer Tim Southee, who is still recovering from a procedure on his fractured thumb that he suffered during the recent ODI series against England.

"Tim's progressing well, but he won't be playing tomorrow's game," said Williamson.

However, Williamson's comeback will pose the Kiwis with a selection dilemma as well.

Rachin Ravindra, who batted at No. 3 in the absence of Williamson, has notched up a hundred and fifty in two World Cup outings, and the Kiwis management will have to think hard as to who to be benched to accommodate the returning 33-year-old.

While keeping that minor headache for later, New Zealand will be pleased to see the form of their top-order batters like Will Young, Devon Conway and Daryl Mitchell.

However, New Zealand will want every bit of runs from them as the MA Chidambaram track could offer another turner like it did in the match between India and Australia the previous Sunday.

In that match, the Indian spinners had taken six wickets and the tweakers could come into focus on Friday as well.

Despite a walloping at the hands of England in their last match, this could be Bangladesh's secret point of joy going against the Kiwis.

Their spin trio of captain Shakib Al Hasan, Mahedi Hasan and Mehidy Hasan Miraz has taken 11 wickets among them from two matches.

The Tigers will pin their hopes on those three to weave their magic on New Zealand to notch up a crucial victory.

However, New Zealand also will feel quietly confident about their chances in such kind of surface because of the presence of Mitchell Santner.

The left-arm spinner is currently the highest wicket-taker in this World Cup with seven wickets, including a fifer against the Netherlands.

Bangladesh will require senior batters like Shakib, Mushfiqur Rahim, Litton Das and Najmul Shanto to rise to the occasion and counter Santner, a massive threat in white-ball formats with several tricks up his sleeve.

However, the Antipodeans will have an edge in the pace department as the likes of Trent Boult, Matt Henry and Lockie Ferguson have a lot more experience overall and in these conditions, courtesy their IPL stints.

Even the head-to-head record gives New Zealand an overwhelming advantage.

These two teams have met on 41 occasions in ODIs, with New Zealand winning 30 times, whereas Bangladesh have won on 10 instances with a no result.

Playing XIs:

Bangladesh: Litton Das (wk), Tanzid Hasan, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Shakib Al Hasan(c), Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), Towhid Hridoy, Mahmudullah, Taskin Ahmed, Shoriful Islam, Mustafizur Rahman.

New Zealand: Devon Conway (wk), Rachin Ravindra, Kane Williamson (c), Daryl Mitchell, Tom Latham (wk), Glenn Phillips, Mark Chapman, Mitchell Santner, Matt Henry, Lockie Ferguson, Trent Boult.

Match starts at: 2 PM IST.