A Test of application

Bangladesh opener Tamim Iqbal (C) checks his grip while his mates Imrul Kayes (L) and Shamsur Rahman look on during Bangladesh's practice session at the Zohur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chittagong yesterday. PHOTO: ANURUP KANTI DAS

A reverse scene at the nets would probably have been more appropriate for the situation. While a batsman like Kumar Sangakkara and his young Sri Lanka teammate Dinesh Chandimal concentrated on playing with the straight bat, Bangladesh's Tamim Iqbal and the likely comeback man Mahmudullah Riyad were lofting the ball high into the sky. Many of those present at the venue were confused as to which team were searching for greater resolve in their batting.
There may be no cause to take the display seriously but the home batsmen have to overcome their penchant for short-lived entertainment if they are to bounce back from a poor show in the first Test.
The reckless shots that Tamim succumbed to in that Test will be fresh in the minds of Tiger fans. Being the local hero, there is pressure on the left-hander after scores of 6 and 11 in the first match and everyone will hope that he does not bat in the manner he did in the nets yesterday.
Bangladesh will need a start and one must keep faith on the proven fighter. Young Shamsur Rahman lost his patience within ten minutes as he went for a pull in the nets even though skipper Mushfiqur Rahim warned that one should only pull if it can be controlled.
Even if the pitch is much different from the one in Mirpur, the Tigers will have to learn from the mistakes they made in the first Test if they are to achieve anything in this series.
The management yesterday announced a 12-man team leaving out pacer Robiul Islam -- a move that surprised many as he performed better than Rubel Hossain -- and top-order batsman Marhsall Ayub, who according to chief selector Faruque Ahmed was down with a sore wrist.
Left-handed opener Imrul Kayes is all set to return to Tests after more than two years but it's not certain whether he will open the innings with Tamim. The 27-year old Imrul, who has so far played 16 Tests with a poor average of 17.15, has been batting at number three in domestic cricket.
The pitch is expected to be slow and flat, which is why the home team decided to go with their traditional policy of fielding a spin-heavy bowling attack. Riyad and veteran slow left-armer Abdur Razzak are in the side but it may be Riyad who takes the field today as the team is looking to prolong the batting line-up.
There will be far less bounce on offer for the faster bowlers, so Sri Lanka may not come at the Tigers with the same short-ball strategy. Runs should be readily available but the home team can cash in on it only if they apply themselves.