Improvement in key areas a necessity
Although the West Indies and especially left-hander Kyle Mayers deserve most of the credit for a magnificent win in the first Test in chase of a record 395 runs in the fourth innings in Chattogram, one must also analyse where the Bangladesh team were lacking in the shock defeat. Faced with the task of saving the series, Bangladesh will be desperate to win the Mirpur Test starting from today.
But it will not be an easy task against a confident West Indies side, especially if the Tigers fail to rectify their mistakes or fail to focus on the areas that could change their fortunes in the longest format of the game.
Grab the chances
Bangladesh fielders dropped at least four catches from close catching positions such as at the slip, gully, short-leg and silly mid-off regions during the first Test. The Tigers are yet to find a specialist slip fielder, which has remained a persistent issue over the years. Kyle Mayers and Nkrumah Bonner, who added a match-winning 216-run fourth-wicket stand for West Indies, were both dropped in the first game.
Nazmul Hossain Shanto dropped two catches at slip off spinners which should have been taken in line with international standards. Following Shadman Islam's injury, substitute Yasir Ali took up the job at short leg and silly mid-off and although he took a brilliant catch at short-leg, it is unlikely that he will make the playing eleven.
It will be yet another test for the Tigers to unearth a specialist close-range fielder, with skipper Mominul previously standing in those positions which require agile reflexes and great catching skills. Even wicketkeeper Liton Das missed a few sharp chances behind the stumps.
Don't shy away from taking reviews
Bangladesh and especially skipper Mominul will have to come up with a better strategy to utilise the review system, their failure to make the most of which raised many questions in the first Test. Mayers and Bonner benefitted again after neither Mominul nor the bowler went for reviews upon being denied by the on-field umpire for leg before decisions. On both occasions, off the bowling of Nayeem Hasan and Taijul Islam, replays showed the batsmen would have been gone if the review was taken. It is important to realise the situation of the game although having only three reviews in hand, it can be a tricky call for the captain sometimes. Still, the skipper will have to be more spontaneous and specific, instead of giving into confusion if the hosts are to make the most of the review system in the coming days.
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