Zimbabwe vs. Bangladesh

Bangladesh's is considered as a strong team. Bangladesh captain Mahmudullah won the toss and elected to bat first in the second and final Test against Zimbabwe at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Dhaka on Sunday. Zimbabwe was leading the two-Test series 1-0 after winning the first Test in Sylhet by 151 runs last week. Zimbabwe go to Dhaka not only with the cushion of a 1-0 lead in a two-Test series, but also the confidence of having dismantled the hosts for less than 200 in both innings in Sylhet.

Unexpectedly, Bangladesh could not score more than 200 in eight consecutive Test innings now. Imrul Kayes and Liton Das together were good openers in the ODIs against Zimbabwe, but they were out of the team due to their mistakes and carelessness against deliveries in the first Test. Even this was accepted by Mominul Haque and Mahmudullah. However, Mushfiqur Rahim had to responsibly move ahead to cope up as he was at No. 6 in Sylhet. Zimbabwe scored low at run rates of only 2.40 and 2.75 in Sylhet, but their batsmen showed the capability of spending long periods at the crease. Hamilton Masakadza and Peter Moor made half centuries and contributed to the victory, but Brendon Taylor and Sikandar Raza fell short of runs. Zimbabwe could not complain much about their bowling. Tendai Chatara and Kyle Jarvis provided early breakthroughs and Raza led the spin attack in both innings, taking six wickets. Newcomers Brandon Mavuta and Wellington Masakadza bowled well in the second innings and will have to play a crucial role in Dhaka as well. Bangladesh's spinners need to play an important role in the second test. Taijul Islam had a superb game with his 11 wickets, but Mehidy Hasan Miraz may look to bowl differently in Dhaka. Mustafizur Rahman is expected to return to the attack and may share the new ball with Abu Jayed but with limited opportunities in Sylhet. It is a must-win game for Bangladesh, who lost to Sri Lanka at home earlier this year too. Even if draw happened, for Zimbabwe, it would result in only their third Test series victory away from home. Currently, it is heard that Mithun may replace Najmul in Bangladesh's XI, while Mustafizur is set to return after being rested in Sylhet. It will be interesting to see if Bangladesh continues with Nazmul Islam, who doesn't offer much with his left-arm darts.

By: Anuja Arora

Content: http://www.espncricinfo.com/series/18815/preview/1153640/bangladesh-vs-zimbabwe-2nd-test-zimbabwe-in-bangladesh-2018-19