Big image: Bangladesh search Sylhet repeat
Bangladesh will search for one other all-round efficiency, within the second Test in Dhaka, as they chase their first-ever sequence victory over New Zealand. They beat the guests by 150 runs in Sylhet, and whereas Taijul Islam and Najmul Hossain Shanto stood aside with their particular person performances, it felt like a complete group effort.
They batted and bowled in partnerships, with Mushfiqur Rahim and Mehidy Hasan Miraz contributing essential half-centuries in assist of Shanto’s third-innings hundred, and Mehidy and Nayeem Hasan backing up Taijul’s efforts with the ball.
New Zealand shall be itching to bounce again in an enormous manner, and never only for the World Test Championship factors. They’ve by no means misplaced a Test sequence in Bangladesh, and can wish to preserve that file intact. They’ll additionally wish to make an announcement as a result of they’ve misplaced two of their final three Tests in opposition to these opponents.
For their desired turnaround to return about, New Zealand will wish to enhance in a number of key methods in Dhaka. After the first-Test defeat, their captain Tim Southee requested for extra consistency from his bowlers, whom he felt didn’t match their Bangladesh counterparts in “apply[ing] pressure for a long period of time”. Ish Sodhi, who bowled a lot of long-hops whereas going at greater than 5 an over within the first innings, and Ajaz Patel, who was a tad costly within the second, will definitely wish to tighten up.
With the bat, New Zealand will need extra top-order assist for Kane Williamson, whose first-innings century was one in all solely two 50-plus scores by a New Zealand batter within the first Test. On a Shere Bangla National Stadium pitch the place they will anticipate extra uneven bounce than there was in Sylhet, they will wish to execute their sweep photographs higher: each Tom Latham and Henry Nicholls, who often play the shot effectively, had been out enjoying this shot, caught at quick high quality leg.
For Bangladesh, Taijul and Mehidy shall be again at a venue they relish bowling at. Nayeem will eye wickets too, on condition that he often solely performs house Tests, and can wish to push for extra constant choice with Bangladesh set to play a whole lot of Test cricket subsequent yr. Bangladesh’s shut catching was spectacular in Sylhet, and they’ll look to maintain the requirements up in Dhaka. They may even hope for runs from Zakir Hasan and Nurul Hasan, who missed out in each innings in Sylhet, and for an enormous rating from Mominul Haque, who seemed in good kind whereas scoring 37 and 40.
Form information
Bangladesh WWWLL (final 5 Tests, most up-to-date first)
New Zealand LWWWL
In the highlight: Taijul Islam and Tom Latham
Team news: Will New Zealand contemplate Ravindra or Santner?
Nayeem Hasan suffered a blow on his non-bowling hand in follow however it’s not but thought-about too critical. Bangladesh are unlikely to alter their successful mixture, particularly in Mirpur the place they’ve traditionally performed three specialist spinners.
Bangladesh (possible): 1 Mahmudul Hasan Joy, 2 Zakir Hasan, 3 Najmul Hossain Shanto (capt), 4 Mominul Haque, 5 Mushfiqur Rahim, 6 Shahadat Hossain, 7 Nurul Hasan (wk), 8 Mehidy Hasan Miraz, 9 Nayeem Hasan, 10 Taijul Islam, 11 Shoriful Islam.
Rachin Ravindra and Mitchell Santner may very well be within the dialogue, however New Zealand often would not tinker until it’s completely needed.
New Zealand (possible): 1 Devon Conway, 2 Tom Latham, 3 Kane Williamson, 4 Henry Nicholls, 5 Daryl Mitchell, 6 Tom Blundell (wk), 7 Glenn Phillips, 8 Kyle Jamieson, 9 Ish Sodhi, 10 Tim Southee (capt), 11 Ajaz Patel.
Pitch and situations: Good ol’ Mirpur
Expect spin to return to centrestage on the Shere Bangla National Stadium after Bangladesh’s quick bowlers took 21 wickets within the two Tests right here earlier this yr, in opposition to Afghanistan and Ireland. Unseasonal rain is forecast, significantly on Thursday, the second day of the Dhaka Test.
Stats and trivia: Best Test yr beckons for hosts
- Bangladesh are tied on three wins in 2023 with 2014 and 2018 with essentially the most Test wins in a calendar yr.
- In Sylhet, Kane Williamson grew to become the primary New Zealander to attain 4 centuries in consecutive Tests.
- Najmul Hossain Shanto is the primary Bangladeshi captain to attain a century in his first Test in cost.
Quotes
“His record is phenomenal. He has nearly 200 wickets. He is very consistent. He showed great maturity in this Test match. Rangana Herath has done a lot of good tactical work with him. Similar to [Herath] in the way he set up some of the batters. I think he is going to serve Bangladesh cricket for a long time.”
Bangladesh coach Chandika Hathurusinghe on Taijul Islam’s maturity and tactical enchancment
Mohammad Isam is ESPNcricinfo’s Bangladesh correspondent. @isam84
Source web site: www.espncricinfo.com
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