Dhaka – Tigers are desperately looking forward for a better show to avoid the series defeat against visiting Zimbabwe during the second Test of a two-match series at Sher-e-Bangla National cricket Stadium.The second and final Test will begin at 9:30 am on Sunday.Having a 1-0 lead in the series with a 151-run victory in the first match against home side at Sylhet, the visiting side will are also keen to break a 17-year drought of away series victory. Zimbabwe won a two-Test away series for the last time in April 2001 also against Bangladesh.
A series defeat against Zimbabwe will spoil Bangladesh’s home hunting reputation a bit, following their draws at home against teams like England and Australia in recent times. A victory, however, mean a draw of the series will restore their confidence.
The newcomers in the Bangladesh side are looking to prove their worth in the second Test while experienced Mushfiqur Rahim and captain Mahmudullah Riyad is also be keen to turn things around in absence of injured Shakib Al Hasan and Tamim Iqbal.
As there are not so many complaints about Bangladesh’s bowling department, spinners Taijul Islam, Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Nazmul Islam were all among the wickets with Taijul taking career-best match figures of 11/70 in the last match while paceman Abu Jayed also bowled reasonably well.
Bangladesh need to step up and deliver better in the second Test to recover from their long standing crisis of quick fall in batting.
Although Ariful Haque had two good outings on his debut, no one looked too good in the first match.
Zimbabwe’s batting, however, looked good in the first Test. They could have done even better with their starts, but none of them was able to convert into a century-Sean Williams getting closest to the mark with 88 and H Masakadza was dismissed for 52 and 48, failing to cash after excellent starts in two innings.
With the ball, Zimbabwe’s spinners were a revelation. They all got plenty of purchase from the wicket and were able to create and maintain sustained pressure. But quick Tendai Chatara and Kyle Jarvis too bowled very well to set things up with early wickets in Bangladesh’s first innings.
Squads:
Bangladesh squad: Mahmudullah Riyad (captain), Imrul Kayes, Liton Kumar Das, Mominul Haque, Nazmul Hossain Shanto, Mushfiqur Rahim, Ariful Haque, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taijul Islam, Abu Jayed, Shafiul Islam, Mustafizur Rahman, Mohammad Mithun, Khaled Ahmed and Nazmul Islam.
Zimbabwe squad: Hamilton Masakadza (captain), Brian Chari, Craig Ervine, Brendan Taylor (wk), Sean Williams, Sikandar Raza, Peter Moor, Regis Chakabva, Donald Tiripano, Kyle Jarvis, Brandon Mavuta, John Nyumbu, Wellington Masakadza, Ryan Burl, Tendai Chatara and Christopher Mpofu.UNB
