Can the Tigers overcome?
What can we expect from an injury-plagued Bangladesh in the second and final Test against New Zealand starting at the Hagley Oval today?
Skipper Mushfiqur Rahmin is ruled out with a fractured thumb, so is opener Imrul Kayes with a thigh muscle tear. And as if that was not enough, one-down batsman Mominul Haque joined the long list after complaining of chest pain while batting in the nets yesterday.
The injury to three key players has greatly disturbed the batting balance; the solidity at the top that Imrul provided, the calmness of Mominul after that and the assurance of Mushfiqur in the middle. So we can rest assured their replacements in the team cannot match their crucial roles against a hostile blowing attack from the Black Caps that came back strongly in Bangladesh's second innings of the opening Test to win the game in stunning fashion despite conceding a first-innings lead.
The greenish Hagley Oval wicket promises to be a typical bouncy one and the cold weather coupled with a cloudy atmosphere can make things more difficult for a team batting first. Bangladesh however have showed the tenacity to survive a similar situation in a very windy Wellington in their first innings of the opening Test.
But with Soumya Sarker coming in place of Imrul to open the innings, the Tigers have got more options to be spectacular in the absence of all that grit and graft. Soumya has not been scoring for a long time. But his two innings in the T20Is provided plenty of evidence that he was getting among the runs.
And if Soumya can find his rhythm it might provide the Tigers a perfect launch pad to do something like they did in the first innings of the opening Test. Today's Test will also mark the first game in which vice-captain Tamim Iqbal will be in charge for the duration of the game, and he will look to instill his aggressive mentality with the bat to bring about a more positive outlook in the team.
Besides, with so many attacking players in the line-up including Sabbir Rahman, who scored half centuries in both innings of the first Test, attack will perhaps be the best option if they to make a match out of it. The game will also serve as one last chance for a misfiring Mahmudullah Riyad, who might come in to bat at number three in the absence of Mominul, to do justice to his billing as the most technically sound player in the team.
Young wicketkeeper Nurul Hasan will also make his debut today. He has already shown how good he is behind the wicket in the limited-overs series. But the biggest challenge for him will be to show his ability with the bat in a five-day game.
The 'green' pace attach will get a second chance to have a go at the opponents after an impressive performance in the opening Test where right-arm pacer Kamrul Islam Rabbi bowled beautifully.
But if the Tigers are to enforce a positive result in what is their last game of a demanding tour after seven defeats, the batting must have to be consistent be it spectacular or not.
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