Bangladesh gear up for Test series win against Pakistan

After a valiant fightback in the final phase of the Khulna Test to earn a draw, Bangladesh have a rare opportunity to seal a Test series against Pakistan in the second and last Test in Dhaka.

The match is set to start at 10am at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur on Wednesday.
 
With his fired-up side on a purple patch, Bangladesh captain Mushfiqur Rahim has said winning the series will not be an upset that the Tigers would pull off.
 
Pakistan, who are third in the ICC Test Teams rankings, are yet to lose a Test to the hosts. 
 
But captain Misbah-ul-Haq’s side is in danger of slipping in the ranking if they lose the series against Bangladesh.
 
Despite amassing a robust first innings lead of 296 runs in the first Test, the tourists  were not allowed to bat in their second by Bangladesh batsmen.
 
Pakistan are under immense pressure and Mushfiq is keen to use that to the Tigers’ advantage.
 
Bangladesh had lost all eight Tests they played against Pakistan before the Khulna Test. But an imperious Tigers counterattack in the first Test has dealt a blow to the tourists’ confidence.
 
But Mushfiq and Co want to end the chapter on a high by winning the ‘final’.
 
Despite being the perennial underdogs, the Tigers came out with flying colours in ODIs on the back of their World Cup success with a 3-0 series rout of Pakistan.
 
They have been improving in Tests as well with four wins, five losses and five draws in 14 Tests since 2013.
 
Bangladesh, who are on a four-Test unbeaten streak, will take to the field in the second Test in a very crucial contest against Pakistan.
 
A win in the last Test will cap a historic episode in the country’s cricket.

Bangladesh will be without frontline pacer Rubel Hossain, who has been ruled out with a side-strain. Pacer Shahadat Hossain may replace him.
 
Mushfiq did not keep wickets on the third and fourth days of the Khulna Test. If the captain stays off the gloves, wicketkeeper-batsman Liton Das may make his debut.
 
In that case, Soumya Sarkar may have to sit out.
 
Leg-spinner Jubair Hossain may be included to strengthen the bowling unit in place of seamer Shuvagata Hom Chowdhury.
 
Tamim Iqbal and Imrul Kayes have ended the Tigers’ opening woes. 
 
They followed up their 224-run partnership against Zimbabwe with a world record second innings opening stand of 312 in the last match.
 
The Bangladesh top-order looks sturdy with Tamim looking for his fourth straight Test century and Imrul his third. 
 
Mominul Haque also has scores of more than 50 in all of his last 10 matches.
 
The middle-order consists of the experienced Mahmudullah, Shakib Al Hasan and Mushfiq.
 
The playing eleven, however, was not finalised, said Mushfiq at the pre-match conference.
 
The captain is hoping the Mirpur wicket to have something for the bowlers and hinted at reinforcing the bowling unit to take 20 wickets.
 
Bangladesh may include three pacers and an extra spinner.
 
“This is the final match. They will definitely try (to take 20 wickets), we will as well. If we feel an extra bowler is needed in this wicket, we will decide on that.
 
“We have to take 20 wickets.”
 
A total of 1, 515 runs were scored in the Khulna Test while only 16 wickets fell. Pakistan could not bat in their second innings.
 
Mushfiq, however, is eager for a result in Mirpur.
 
“We played well in Khulna. There may be a result in Mirpur if weather does not play spoilsport.”
 
Although Pakistan are winless on the tour losing all their warm-up, ODIs, T20 against Bangladesh, Mushfiq still think the tourists are ‘dangerous’.

“Pakistan are a dangerous team. They are good in both batting and bowling, almost world class. Our batting, bowling and fielding are good too.
 
“Whoever come out on top most of the times in the 15 sessions will have better chance of winning.”
 
Pakistan pacer Imran Khan may return to the side while Saeed Ajmal may warm the bench.
 
Tamim has become a huge threat to the tourists. Their captain Misbah-ul-Haq has said they are planning to take the Bangladesh opener out early.
 
Bangladesh have made a remarkable turnaround after a rough patch last year. It started at the Sher-e-Bangla stadium against Zimbabwe in November.
 
They crushed Pakistan in the limited-over series last month at the venue.
 
A win in the last Test will take Bangladesh to new heights and dawn a new era.