“If we can’t stick to our planning even against lower-ranked sides, how can we expect growth in Test cricket? I’m not against offering spin-friendly conditions, but why against Zimbabwe? Why did we lose confidence after one loss?”
Reapplying tried and tested methods in Chattogram after the defeat in Sylhet worked wonders for Bangladesh as they made easy work off Zimbabwe in the second Test, rolling them over by an innings and 106 runs inside three days and levelled the two-match series 1-1 today.
By the time the BCB finally read the room – deciding to open the gates to schoolchildren starting from Day 2 of the second Test in Chattogram – the galleries in Sylhet and now in Chattogram echoed like ghost towns.
Spinners Taijul Islam and Nayeem Hasan spun the momentum of the day in the final session as Zimbabwe reached 227-9 at stumps on Day 1 of the second and final Test at the Bir Sreshtho Flight Lieutenant Matiur Rahman Stadium in Chattogram today.
Bangladesh bowlers failed to make any breakthroughs post-Lunch as Nick Welch and Sean Williams batted through the second session to take Zimbabwe to 161-2 at Tea on Day 1 of the second and final Test at the Bir Sreshtho Flight Lieutenant Matiur Rahman Stadium in Chattogram today.
Debutant Tanzim Sakib and Taijul Islam struck once each as Bangladesh reduced Zimbabwe to 89-2 at Lunch on Day 1 of the second and final Test at the Bir Sreshtho Flight Lieutenant Matiur Rahman Stadium in Chattogram today.
Reeling from a bruising defeat in Sylhet, Bangladesh will look to restore pride and square the series.
Only by losing the first Test in Sylhet could Bangladesh have fans, and everyone else, turn their focus towards themselves for a series that nearly experienced a media blackout, forcing the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) to get state-run BTV as the broadcast partner.
The hosts were left searching for answers after a dismal batting collapse saw them bowled out for 191 runs in the first innings -- a setback from which they never recovered.
The first Test will commence at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium on April 20.
