Bangladesh vs Windies: 2nd Test, Preview- Another stern examination awaits jarred visitors

Windies have never lost a Test series in Bangladesh.

Published - 29 Nov 2018, 18:15 IST | Updated - 29 Nov 2018, 18:15 IST

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Prior to the two-match series against Bangladesh, Windies had never lost a Test match in the country. However, the Tigers defied all the odds and got the better of the Caribbean team in the opening Test at Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chittagong. Veteran all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan made a return and inspired the hosts to a thumping victory by 64 runs and a 1-0 lead in the series.

They found themselves in dire straits in their second innings, having lost wickets in clumps but their spinners came to the party and carved the triumph for Bangladesh. The second Test at the iconic Sher-E-Bangla National Stadium is scheduled to get underway tomorrow and the Tigers would be keen to win their second ever Test series against the Windies after they achieved the feat in 2009.

On the contrary, the visiting team is short of confidence after being shot away comprehensively in the previous match. They don’t have stalwart Jason Holder, their regular skipper, and his absence was well and truly felt. They are on the verge of losing their first Test series in Bangladesh and need to pull up their socks in order to save themselves from a defeat, which won’t be a cakewalk by any means.

Team Combination

Bangladesh

The Tigers are likely to give Shadman Islam, who replaced Imrul Kayes, his maiden international cap. He may open with Soumya Sarkar. Mominul Haque needs to carry on with his rich vein of form. A lot would depend on how Shakib delivers an all-round performance along with Mushfiqur Rahim, Mahmudullah and Mithun. It goes without saying that the spin-trio of Nayem, Shakib and Taijul will have to deliver.

Probable XI

Soumya Sarkar, Shadman Islam, Mominul Haque, Mohammad Mithun, Shakib Al Hasan (C), Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), Mahmudullah, Mehidy Hasan, Nayeem Hasan, Taijul Islam, Mustafizur Rahman

Windies

Windies don’t have much experience in their bench-strength and hence, they may persist with the same lineup. Kraigg Brathwaite and Kieran Powell are the opening batsmen with Shai Hope to bat at number three. The onus will also be on Sunil Ambris and Roston Chase. Shimron Hetymer adds the X-factor to the lineup. Bishoo and Warrican are the spinners with Roach and Gabriel being the fast bowlers.

Probable XI

Kraigg Brathwaite (C), Kieran Powell, Shai Hope, Sunil Ambris, Roston Chase, Shimron Hetmyer, Shane Dowrich (wk), Devendra Bishoo, Kemar Roach, Jomel Warrican, Shannon Gabriel

Focus will be on

Nayeem Hasan- Bangladesh

Albeit he went wicketless in the second innings of the erstwhile match, the contest turned out to be a memorable one for the Chittagong-born spinner. In the first innings, he became the youngest ever to take a five-wicket haul in Tests as the Windies batsmen found it tough to decipher the tricks of the youngster. Nayeem now needs to show that the performance wasn’t a fluke and he can deliver such spells consistently.

Shimron Hetmyer- Windies

Even as the other Caribbean batsmen strained to get under the skins of the Bangladesh bowling attack, Hetmyer was in a different zone. The left-hander scored at a strike-rate of over 100 on a pitch that spewed venom. He batted at a position, which is lower than his regular batting slot and the move didn’t backfire. Windies would again be looking up to him for getting some quick-fire runs in the middle-order.