Gazi eyes repeat performance against NZ

Bangladesh seek rare series win as second Test starts today.

DHAKA: Spinner Sohag Gazi is hoping to repeat the all-round heroics he showed in the drawn first Test against New Zealand as Bangladesh seek a rare series win against the visitors this week.

The 22-year-old shone in the series opener in Chittagong earlier this month. He became the first cricketer in history to score a century and claim a hat-trick in the same Test, propelling him to instant stardom in the success-starved nation.

Gazi, who has played seven Tests in his fledgling career, returns today to the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Dhaka for the second and final Test of the series.



The off-spinner, who has since emerged as a bright all-round prospect, scored an unbeaten 101 in the first Test against New Zealand before taking 6-77 in the tourists’ second innings including a hat-trick.

“In the second match my aim will be to keep this streak,” said Gazi. “I don’t know if I will break a record again or not, but I am thinking about taking a five-for again.

“Actually, there is nothing different to do. The manner in which I bowled in the last match, I will try to bowl in a similar way. I will work on the little mistakes that I made in the previous game.”

Rahim anticipates advantage for spinners

Bangladesh are hoping the wicket will offer some assistance to the Bangladesh spinners after they were frustrated by a flat batting pitch in Chittagong for long periods.

“There will be some advantage for spinners in Mirpur,” said Bangladesh captain Mushfiqur Rahim. “We’re conducting our preparations keeping that in mind.”

New Zealand in contrast were mulling an extra seamer as their spinners failed to make any impact the first Test.

“This is something [an extra seamer] we need to look at and work out the balance of our team,” said New Zealand captain Brendan McCullum. “Obviously if we do include the extra seamer in place of one of our spinners, we have got a number of options.”

Published in The Express Tribune, October 21^st, 2013.

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