Last Updated on 6 years by Charbel Coorey
 |
| Image credit: AFP |
The Bangladesh Cricket side might be grateful for all the cricketing action this week. The nonstop action has somewhat taken the attention away from another disappointing Test performance, totally outclassed by a Zimbabwe side that simply put in more effort.
Bangladesh’s pain was Zimbabwe’s gain, picking up their first away win in Tests since November 2001. The joy on their faces was refreshing to see, having gone through a challenging 2018, missing out on World Cup Qualification and losing 19 matches in a row across formats before the Sylhet Test. Then, when you consider all the off-field troubles, the magnificent first Test effort was indeed a glimmer at the end of a dark tunnel.
With the series moving to Dhaka, where Bangladesh have beaten England and Australia in the last two years, can Zimbabwe pick up a monumental series win?
While Zimbabwe’s performance can be lauded as excellent in Sylhet, Bangladesh were pathetic. As a side that has made progress in Test cricket since 2010, Bangladesh have taken significant steps in a backward direction in 2018. Poor shot after poor shot in the first Test highlighted why they have gone eight straight innings since scoring 200, as well as raising further doubts as to how seriously Bangladesh intend to take Test Cricket. Mahmudullah, the Bangladesh captain, quashed those murmurs in the aftermath of the first Test, claiming Bangladesh want to play well. Will they finally show it?
The margin of 151 runs in Sylhet did not flatter Zimbabwe in the slightest, displaying far greater temperament and patience than their opponents. Their first day effort against the probing Bangladesh attack was encouraging, with the likes of Hamilton Masakadza, Sean Williams, Regis Chakabva and PJ Moor putting a high price on their respective wickets. From there, it was all Zimbabwe, with their bowlers ripping through Bangladesh twice. Can they repeat their big effort?
Key to a Bangladesh win
No prizes for guessing where Bangladesh’s area for improvement lies in.
Their batting was atrocious in Sylhet, crumbling in a heap against any sort of pressure applied by Zimbabwe’s bowlers. To Zimbabwe’s credit, their bowling was honest and probing right throughout the Test, but Bangladesh displayed a lack of fight so alarming that questions had to be asked of their commitment to the five-day format. The only way they will quash those claims is not through words, but through better technique and application, led by the experienced Imrul Kayes, Mominul Haque, Mahmudullah and Mushfiqur Rahim. After beating Australia in August last year, a 2-0 home loss to Zimbabwe just over a year later would have been unthinkable, and it is on the batsmen to put on a better display.
With the ball, Bangladesh constantly asked questions, especially through their spinners. Taijul Islam picked up his first ever ten wicket haul in Tests, leading the way with tight bowling that kept Zimbabwe honest. He was well supported by Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Nazmul Islam, and more of the same is required on a pitch expected to take early turn in Mirpur. Will the Tigers display the energy and commitment required in a must-win Test?
Key to a Zimbabwe win
Kyle Jarvis has said that the
great Glenn McGrath is his hero, and he showed why in Sylhet. With conditions offering slight movement and uneven bounce, Jarvis, along with Tendai Chatara, were absolutely superb in building the pressure on Bangladesh. The key in Dhaka would be to continue to turn pressure into wickets, and against a side lacking confidence, the template is set for Zimbabwe’s seamers.
Also, what was significantly promising in the first Test was the efforts of Zimbabwe’s spinners. A question coming into the series was not only Mohammad Isam’s
“what’s the point of this series?” conundrum, but also whether Zimbabwe’s spinners could hold their own in these conditions. They did, combining for a total of 13 wickets in the Test, headlined by nine wickets in the second innings shared by Brandon Mavuta, Sikandar Raza and Wellington Masakadza. Can the Zimbabweans follow up their fine effort with more accurate, probing bowling, even if Bangladesh begin to put partnerships together?
On the batting front, Zimbabwe would be right to follow their first innings performance at Sylhet, displaying the patience and temperament required at this level. On a pitch expected to take early turn in Mirpur, Zimbabwe’s batsmen will again face a trial by spin, and their concentration will be tested. Can the likes of Hamilton Masakadza, Sean Williams, Sikandar Raza and PJ Moor make Bangladesh work hard in the 2nd Test?
Possible teams
Will there be changes in the Bangladesh camp? One player who probably should have played in Sylhet but didn’t was Mohammad Mithun, who could possibly come into the side for Nazmul Hossain Shanto. Also, Mushfiqur Rahim should be pushed up the order to number four to provide greater stability at the top.
Bangladesh possible XI: 1. Imrul Kayes, 2. Liton Das, 3. Mominul Haque, 4. Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), 5. Mohammad Mithun/Nazmul Hossain Shanto, 6. Mahmudullah (c), 7. Ariful Haque, 8. Mehidy Hasan Miraz, 9. Taijul Islam, 10. Abu Jayed, 11. Nazmul Islam/Mustafizur Rahman
For Zimbabwe, Brian Chari was the only let down in Sylhet, but they should stick with the same side that has a chance to pick up a rare series win.
Zimbabwe possible XI: 1. Hamilton Masakadza (c), 2. Brian Chari, 3. Brendan Taylor, 4. Sean Williams, 5. Sikandar Raza, 6. PJ Moor, 7. Regis Chakabva (wk), 8. Wellington Masakadza, 9. Brandon Mavuta, 10. Kyle Jarvis, 11. Tendai Chatara,
Dream11
A number of good options, especially in the all-rounder positions, makes selecting a Dream11 a challenge! Below is my side, with a few pointers.
- I trust Mushfiqur Rahim to have a big game with Bangladesh in need.
- Three allrounders are vital in my opinion, with Sean Williams, Sikandar Raza and Mehidy Hasan Miraz too difficult to leave out. Mehidy has a fine history in Mirpur.
- Three spinners also make up my bowling attack, with Kyle Jarvis also offering good value.
Stats and Facts
- Bangladesh are winless in their last eight Tests after beating Australia at Mirpur last year.
- Zimbabwe’s win in Sylhet was their first Test win away from home since 2001.
- Zimbabwe have not won a Test series comprising of two or more Tests since 2004, where they beat Bangladesh 1-0.
- Bangladesh have not crossed 200 in each of their last eight Test innings.
Prediction
Zimbabwe have every reason to believe, with Bangladesh struggling in red ball cricket.
However, I have a feeling Bangladesh will bounce back, just like they did after being thrashed in the first Test in Zimbabwe in 2013. Mushfiqur Rahim will lead the way.
Thanks for reading!
