Match Thread: 2nd Test - Bangladesh vs. Zimbabwe at Sheikh Abu Naser Stadium, Khulna; November 3-7

[Rinathq]

Back to winning!

Time: Nov 3-7, 2014 (09:30 local | 03:30 GMT | 22:30 EST | 21:30 CST | 19:30 PST)

Venue: SANS, Khulna

Preview:

And Cricket is back in Khulna!

This will be the first international match in the city of Khulna since the second ODI against West Indies in 2012. Bangladesh lost the sole test match against West Indies but came back strong to win back to back ODIs in the same ground. Bangladesh will look to seal the series against the side that is still searching for answers against the on song spin attack. The conditions in Khulna should assist the spinners as usual but it might not be as easy as Dhaka which saw turn and bounce from day 1. Selectors suggested that Khulna will have a more batting friendly wicket for the first few days to facilitate the struggling batsmen. Once again, the local batsmen are failing to meet the "patience" requirement for the "test". Almost every batsmen will need to improve on their performance from the first test as Khulna promises a high scoring affair. For Zimbabwe, its a matter of doing the homework well and play better against the spinners. The Confidence will be at a low and will need some special effort to revive. Their Spinners will also have to perform much better than the first test where they were non-threatening even in favorable condition. The surface will be tougher for the seamers so expect more overs from the spinners.

In terms of the final 11, Bangladesh will be out of their best seamer Al Amin Hossain. His replacement is still a mystery as it is yet to be determined if the selectors will go with a seamer as a substitute or another spinner. Given the usage of seamers in the last match, one could hope for an extra spinner. However, it is always risky business and somewhat demoralizing to walk into a test match with a lone spinner unless its one of Steyn, Morkel, Anderson or Johnson. Anamul might walk back in the squad without any real effort after a poor display in the picnic tournament in Kolkata. However, with Khulna being his home ground, expect a lot of support for the prospective keeper/batsman. The opening pair will also need to put on some sort of partnership in this match or one of them will have to make way for someone else. Right now it looks like Shamsur might be playing his decider since Tamim is still considered a core. Watch out for the skipper Mushfiqur Rahim who will look to continue his run streak. He might bat higher to ensure he gets enough time to score to his full potential. The surface will help the onsong skipper to score plenty

Squads:

Bangladesh

Mushfiqur Rahim (capt), Tamim Iqbal (vice-capt), Shakib Al Hasan, Shamsur Rahman, Mominul Haque, Rubel Hossain, Shuvagata Hom, Mahmudullah, Shafiul Islam, Jubair Hossain, Shahadat Hossain, Marshall Ayub, Taijul Islam, Anamul Haque

Zimbabwe

Brendan Taylor, Regis Chakabva, Brian Chari, Tendai Chatara, Elton Chigumbura, Craig Ervine, Tafadzwa Kamungozi, Hamilton Masakadza, Shingi Masakadza, Wellington Masakadza, Natsai M'shangwe, Richmond Mutumbami, John Nyumbu, Tinashe Panyangara, Vusi Sibanda, Sikandar Raza, Malcolm Waller

Live Scores: http://www.espncricinfo.com/
Live Streaming: http://www.bdlivezone.com/Live-TV-Ch...ngla-live.html