No changes scheduled
After playing absorbing cricket for five days both teams returned to the capital to play the second and final Test of the series that will start from Saturday at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur.
New Zealand left the port city on Tuesday night and took a day off today to enjoy shopping after a nerve-wrecking three-wicket victory against the Tigers at the Chittagong Divisional Stadium on the final day.
Daniel Vettori's side will return to business today but the home side, who flew into Dhaka today, has decided to take two days rest before the final Test against the visitors, who achieved an improbable target to break the hearts of the millions in the country.
"Everybody is tired after an intensive five days cricket in Chittagong. The two day break will helpful for everybody before going into the last game of the series," hoped Bangladesh skipper Mohammad Ashraful, who was disappointed not only for a lost opportunity but also for his frustrating batting in both innings (2 and 0).
Prior to the final match the most demanding question was whether Bangladesh team prefers another bowler in the side or will they go with an unchanged squad. Despite the defeat the effort of the Tigers in the first Test has been applauded but many believed that the inclusion of a bowler like left-arm spinner Enamul Haque could ensure the balance.
Chief selector Rafiqul Alam and the captain himself however supported the combination of the team and said that they will think about change only if the conditions demand.
"I don't think we missed any bowler in the first Test. I also don't believe that it could have been a different story if Enamul was there rather as per my opinion the behavior of the pitch was surprising," said Rafiqul.
"Enamul is a good turner but he was out of form and Razzak (Abdur) bowled well in the match. We have to have a bowler who can bowl long spells and I think Razzak is a good option for that. We go for change only if the situation demands," said the former national player defending Razzak, who picked up four wickets in the first Test.
Mohammad Ashraful was also not ready to accept that they have missed a real turner for the exciting first Test.
"I don't think so because our bowlers did well. The behaviour of the pitch especially on the final day was surprising for us and Daniel Vettori played a very good innings," said the Tigers skipper.
There was a talk about Rokibul Hasan's chance of playing the second Test but the chief selector confirmed that the middle-order batsman was yet to be fully fit.
"He (Rokibul) is recovering fast but not fully fit," he informed.
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