The start of the second Test between Bangladesh and New Zealand was delayed again due to persistent rain in Mirpur.

After a total wash-out on the opening day, the covers remained in place at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium.

"We were told there is a depression in the Bay of Bengal," said umpire Daryl Harper, who is due to officiate in the game with Asoka de Silva.

With a draw now the most likely result, New Zealand are set to take the series after winning the opening Test.

If the weather relents, play will start early on day three but the forecast gave little grounds for optimism and there is a possibility the teams will not make it out to the middle at all.

But umpire Harper confirmed: "We cannot call the match off totally until the fifth day."

Bangladesh (from): Mohammad Ashraful (captain), Mashrafe Mortaza, Tamim Iqbal, Zunaid Siddique, Rajin Saleh, Shakib Al Hasan, Mehrab Hossain, Naeem Islam, Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), Abdur Razzak, Syed Rasel, Shahadat Hossain, Mahbubul Alam.

New Zealand: Daniel Vettori (captain), Aaron Redmond, Jamie How, Jesse Ryder, Ross Taylor, Brendon McCullum (wk), Daniel Flynn, Grant Elliott, Kyle Mills, Jeetan Patel, Iain O'Brien.

Umpires: Daryl Harper (AUS), Asoka de Silva (SRI)
TV umpire: Akhtaruddin (BAN)
Match referee: Javagal Srinath (IND)