Khulna hosts first Test from today
The Bangladesh cricket team for the second Test against the West Indies at Test cricket's newest stadium and Bangladesh's seventh Test venue, the Sheikh Abu Naser Stadium in Khulna, is likely to remain unchanged from the eleven that lost the first Test by 77 runs.
It was announced at the end of the first Test at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur that the 14-man squad would remain unchanged for the second Test which begins today at 9:30am.
Although the team is likely to be unchanged, there is still a chance that opener Junaed Siddiqui, who was unconvincing against West Indies pace attack while scoring 7 and 20, might make way for Nazimuddin.
Bangladesh earlier got a scare on Monday when it seemed that star opener Tamim Iqbal would miss the second Test with an elbow injury, but fortunately for the Tigers the left-hander passed a fitness Test on Tuesday and was cleared to play.
In the first Test, the home side put up a spirited fight but ended up losing late on the last day when their second innings folded 78 runs short of the winning target, 245. Even in defeat there were plenty of positives -- Bangladesh recording their highest total of 556 in the first innings, debutant off-spinner taking nine wickets in the match including six for 74 in the West Indian second innings and Naeem Islam's patient, maiden Test century to name a few. Although they fell again at the last hurdle, the first Test performance has raised hopes that Bangladesh may come out of Khulna's inaugural Test with a creditable draw, if not a win.
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