Prior to the Bangladesh-England Test, it is the weather that is dominating all the headlines as the forecasts suggest rain for the next couple of days
Even eight days ago before the start of the first Test against England, there were concerns over whether Bangladesh would be able to continue their rise in international cricket, given that they were returning to the longer version after a 15-month gap.
However, a lot has happened since then as the Tigers went narrowly close to a historic win in the Chittagong Test only to come up short by 22 runs.
The home side largely dominated the visitors and fought neck and neck before agonisingly conceding defeat. As a result, it will be no surprise if the Tigers give a good account of themselves and level the series against the formidable English side.
However, coming into Friday’s second Test match, it is the weather that is dominating all the headlines as the forecasts suggest rain for the next couple of days in the capital city after Cyclone Kyant hit the Bay of Bengal.
With that said, the hosts would leave no stones unturned in their preparation for the Dhaka Test.
Much like the Chittagong five-dayer, opening batsmen Tamim Iqbal and Imrul Kayes would be looking to give their side a solid start while at the same time, Mominul Haque, coming in at No 3, will look to continue the openers’ good work.
Mominul had a quiet time with the bat in the port city and will be desperate to come good in the Dhaka Test.
Groundsmen remove the covers DHAKA TRIBUNE
Mahmudullah will shore up the middle order alongside captain Mushfiqur Rahim, who will be playing his 50th Test. He will become the third Bangladesh cricketer to achieve the landmark after Mohammad Ashraful (61) and Habibul Bashar (50).
And of course, all-rounder Shakib al Hasan, a key part of the Tigers’ Test set-up, will yet again need to contribute with both bat and ball.
Sabbir Rahman, who was suffering from stomach pain, is fine now and is expected to carry on the good work from his brilliant debut in Chittagong.
As far as the Tigers’ bowling is concerned, paceman Subashish Roy is all set to make his Test debut after being included in the squad along with the uncapped Mosaddek Hossain. However, it was learned that Mosaddek has slim chances of making his Test bow.
Meanwhile, the hero of the first Test, youngster Mehedi Hasan Miraz will be booming with confidence after bagging seven wickets in Chittagong, including six in the first innings. He will lend Shakib valuable support in the spin department along with Taijul Islam.
On the other hand, England are also in line to make a few changes of their own with fast bowler Steven Finn replacing veteran campaigner Stuart Broad and the uncapped left-arm spinner coming in in place of the seasoned off-spinner Gareth Batty.
The Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium pitch provided exciting times for both the bowlers and the batsmen but the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium wicket will be a bit different in that there will be runs on offer for the batsmen, along with some turn and purchase for the slow bowlers.
Source: Dhaka Tribune
