Bangladesh hope for recovery
Zimbabwe aim to seal series as 2nd Test starts today.
Zimbabwe will be buoyed by the opportunity to win a series by more than one match for just the second time in their history. PHOTO: FILE
HARARE:
Chastened by a heavy defeat that has once again highlighted their lack of progress, Bangladesh begin the second and final Test against Zimbabwe looking to prove they can adapt to foreign conditions and match their fellow Test strugglers.
The Asian side came into the series as hot favourites after improved performances in Sri Lanka, only to go down in the opening Test by 335 runs at Harare Sports Club.
With the second Test being played on the same ground, Bangladesh will need to show far greater durability if they are to come away from the series with some dignity.
“We didn’t play with any patience and we need to improve that,” said Bangladesh coach Shane Jurgensen. “We just have to bat for longer. When the game starts we have to be very disciplined in our approach to every ball, and do our basics well.”
The Tigers will also need to find a way to dismiss Brendan Taylor cheaply, after he became just the third Zimbabwean to score back-to-back centuries in a Test match.
However, the tourists have been hit with fresh injury worries, with fast-bowlers Rubel Hossain and Shahadat Hossain both returning home to be replaced by seamer Shafiul Islam and uncapped all-rounder Ziaur Rahman.
Opening batsman Tamim Iqbal could return from a broken thumb, while Shakib al Hasan will be back to full bowling fitness.
Zimbabwe, on the other hand, could field the same side and will be buoyed by the opportunity to win a series by more than one match for just the second time in their history.
“It’s big for us — even 10 years ago, with the players we had back then, we struggled to win,” said Taylor. “We know Bangladesh have players that can turn a game on its head so we must just back our skills, have a clear mindset and look after our bodies.”
Published in The Express Tribune, April 25th, 2013.
Chastened by a heavy defeat that has once again highlighted their lack of progress, Bangladesh begin the second and final Test against Zimbabwe looking to prove they can adapt to foreign conditions and match their fellow Test strugglers.
The Asian side came into the series as hot favourites after improved performances in Sri Lanka, only to go down in the opening Test by 335 runs at Harare Sports Club.
With the second Test being played on the same ground, Bangladesh will need to show far greater durability if they are to come away from the series with some dignity.
“We didn’t play with any patience and we need to improve that,” said Bangladesh coach Shane Jurgensen. “We just have to bat for longer. When the game starts we have to be very disciplined in our approach to every ball, and do our basics well.”
The Tigers will also need to find a way to dismiss Brendan Taylor cheaply, after he became just the third Zimbabwean to score back-to-back centuries in a Test match.
However, the tourists have been hit with fresh injury worries, with fast-bowlers Rubel Hossain and Shahadat Hossain both returning home to be replaced by seamer Shafiul Islam and uncapped all-rounder Ziaur Rahman.
Opening batsman Tamim Iqbal could return from a broken thumb, while Shakib al Hasan will be back to full bowling fitness.
Zimbabwe, on the other hand, could field the same side and will be buoyed by the opportunity to win a series by more than one match for just the second time in their history.
“It’s big for us — even 10 years ago, with the players we had back then, we struggled to win,” said Taylor. “We know Bangladesh have players that can turn a game on its head so we must just back our skills, have a clear mindset and look after our bodies.”
Published in The Express Tribune, April 25th, 2013.