ZCZC
BSP-05
CRICKET-BD-ZIM-TEST-PREVIEW
Tigers take on Zimbabwe in solitary Test to end losing-streak
DHAKA, Feb 21, 2020 (BSS) – Aiming to end their perennial losing streak
that saw them hit the lowest ebb in the longer version format, Bangladesh
takes on Zimbabwe in the one-off Test tomorrow (Saturday) at the Sher-e-
Bangla National Cricket Stadium. The match starts at 9.30 am.
The Tigers lost their last six Test matches in a row, with the five
coming by humiliating innings margin. To be more precious, they lost all of
the last three Tests against India and Pakistan by innings margin and without
having any significant resistance. The performance left the country’s cricket
in dazed state, prompting the critics to question about Bangladesh’s Test
status further.
A victory is badly needed for Bangladesh to come out from those
precarious situation and they got a low ranked team in Zimbabwe. But things
could have been far more difficult than what they anticipate. Zimbabwe of
late showed an unwavering resolve against Sri Lanka at their home condition
before losing the two-match series by 1-0.
The Southern African nation though in the recent past lost their aura
and was no match for Bangladesh in terms of cricketing strength, they still
hold the upper-hand in Test battles. Out of the 16 Test matches between the
two teams, Zimbabwe won seven while Bangladesh won six. The rest of the three
matches ended in a draw.
The recent Zimbabwe Test victory against Bangladesh came in the last
series when they beat the hosts by 151 runs at Sylhet International Cricket
Stadium. They drew that series by 1-1 after Bangladesh came back strongly in
the second match to crush them by 218 runs.
Even though they don’t play Test match more often like Bangladesh,
Zimbabwe still hopes for the best, emboldened by that victory in Sylhet. But
at the same time, they still remain vulnerable against spinners, which were
evidenced in their performance in the two-day warm-up game against BCB XI in
BKSP. In that drawn-match, Zimbabwe struggled against Under-19 bowler
Shahadat Hossain, who is an occasional spinner.
They would have to face off the likes of Taijul Islam, Mehidy Hasan
Miraz and Nayeem Islam in the solitary Test and the trio is believed to pose
more danger than what Shahadat posed.
Zimbabwe is upbeat that they could deal with the Bangladeshi spinners,
as their senior player Sikandar Raza said.
“Bangladesh spinner got a very good record against us. But I think the
experience we have coming to Bangladesh, we learned something and try to
improve our game,” Sikandar Raza said.
“As much as you can say their spinners have taken lot of wickets but we
started to score some runs against them. Sylhet Test was a prime example of
that and we won that game.”
What Zimbabwe is thinking is no headache for Bangladesh who is desperate
to end their losing streak. The host is believed to come with a spin-heavy
attack in the one-off Test, sensing Zimbabwe’s shortcoming against the
spinners. It means, all the three spinners-Taijul, Mehidy and Nayeem should
play in the first XI.
Bangladesh head coach Russell Domingo earlier said he is reluctant to
tinker with the squad excessively. But still they need to bring up some
changes. As Mahmudullah Riyad was ‘rested’, Mushfiqur Rahim who opted again
touring Pakistan, citing security concerns, would be his like-to-like
replacement.
But whatever the squad is, with the back to the wall, Bangladesh’s prime
target is to win the game at any cost.
BSS/SMP/FI/1418 hrs