Tigers eye drawing level

Bangladesh have no other way but a win in their second Test against India to gain something from their two-match Test series as the final match of the visitors’ tour begins at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium today.

The first Test in Chattogram saw Bangladesh suffer a 188-run defeat, courtesy of their crumbling in the first innings of the match, where they were bowled out for 150. That was irrecoverable as a hundred from debutant Zakir Hasan and fifties from skipper Shakib Al Hasan and Najmul Hossain Shanto were not enough.

Speaking of Shakib, Bangladesh did not have his services as a bowler as he suffered from injuries in his shoulder and ribs. He bowled 12 overs in the first innings and none in the second, but still managed to give Bangladesh some hope with a feisty 84.

Ahead of the match, Bangladesh fast-bowling coach Allan Donald told the media that Shakib will be bowling in Dhaka.

“Shakib is okay, he will bowl. He was bruised and battered in the one-day game here, but he has gone through that. He is available for selection, and available to bowl,” he said in a press conference on Wednesday.

Shakib being able to bowl means Nasum Ahmed, who was called up for the second Test, is unlikely to be handed his debut in Test cricket.

But still, Bangladesh are likely to bring in changes as pacer Ebadot Hossain injured his back in the first Test and was omitted from the squad. As per Donald’s words, Taskin Ahmed, who missed the first two One-Day Internationals and the first Test due to lack of fitness, will replace him.

“Taskin is good to go. He wanted to play the last Test but he was very much short of a gallop in terms of rhythm. The build-up in the last Test was crucial for him. He is looking forward to the contest.

“It will be the same three spinners and welcoming back Taskin. Khaled as well. Sorry to the selectors but I am talking out of the room a little bit. That’s what I can see happening. The good news is that Shakib is good to go. Looking at the pitch, I think he will very much come into play.” the South African said.

While the injury concerns have shifted talks much towards the bowling department, the Tigers’ bigger concern is their batting, especially their middle-order which did not show up in Chattogram.

Yasir Ali Chowdhury looked clueless at number three, while Liton Das failed to show any composure as he fell to a mental game with Mohammad Siraj in the first innings, before getting sent back to the pavilion minutes before tea playing an unnecessary stroke. Veteran Mushfiqur Rahim also failed to come to the party in both innings.

Donald said they had to follow how they batted in the second innings of the Chattogram Test to make better use of their chances in Mirpur.

“The second innings batting is a blueprint for us. You got one chance to cash in. You win the toss, hopefully, bat first, and make 350 or 380. I am guessing what the value of that first innings score might be. Pitch looks fairly dry so you have to cash in the first innings. It is your only chance to set the Test match up in the first innings.

“If we bowl, we have also shown that in the first innings when we had India 48 for three. We dropped a couple of tough chances but we cannot drop at this level. Then you get put to the sword,” he said.

Ahead of the match, Bangladesh are looking at nothing but a win, as per Donald’s words in the press conference on Wednesday.

“We want to win. It doesn’t matter where you play India, you put that in your highest order of achievements. We know 150 didn’t cut it for us. We have spoken about the values of our partnership. We need to be much more resilient, which we showed in the second innings. We are desperate to win. A lot of people including me want to go home for a delayed Christmas with a win under our belt,” the White Lighting said.

Like Bangladesh, India also have some injury concerns as their stand-in skipper KL Rahul, who is leading the side in place of Rohit Sharma, was hurt during their practice on Wednesday.

But their batting coach Vikram Rathour said that the right-handed batter was fine.

“(The injury) Doesn’t look serious. He seems to be fine. Hopefully, he will be okay. Doctors are looking at it,” he said on Wednesday.