Bangladesh keen to set the records straight against South Africa in last Test as rain looms

Bangladesh are desperate to improve on their dull record against South Africa in the second and last Test in Mirpur.

The hosts have lost eight consecutive matches, seven of them by an innings, in nine Tests played against the Proteas. 
 
Their only draw against the Proteas came in the rain-marred Chittagong Test.
 
Bangladesh and South Africa will square off in the last Test that kicks off at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium on Thursday.
 
After a fine all-round show in Chittagong, captain Mushfiqur Rahim and his men are buoyant to end their poor run against South Africa with a win.
 
“This is another chance for us to change our records. The Chittagong Test has given us this confidence that we have the ability (to do well) against them,” he said in a press conference on the eve of the last match of the month-long series.
 
"The way we turned around (in the ODI series) after losing three matches earlier is a testament to our resolve… We have an opportunity to straighten out past records."
 
Bangladesh won three and lost one of their last seven Tests at home while three others ended in draws. 
 
Mushfiqur is keen to continue the string of positive results to retain consistency.
 
“Everybody is hungry to do well. We should try and extend out good times."
 
Mushfiqur thinks consistently playing well for all five days is the recipe for success in Tests.
 
"It’s not that we can win the match on the first day. We have to maintain consistency for all five days. It’s a big challenge and an opportunity for us at same time.
 
"As we are playing against the No. 1 Test team, winning against them will be a big [achievement]."
 

 

The young and the experienced
 
While the youngsters are providing impetus to the team, the experienced players are giving Bangladesh stability.
 
“We must keep the combination intact. One player cannot do well every day in Tests. Whoever does well on a day should try to stretch his innings,” Mushfiqur said.
 
He wants to see more innings like Tamim Iqbal’s double century and Imrul Kayes’ 150 against Pakistan.
 
"Performance like these is very crucial against big teams.”
 
Bangladesh’s 20-year old wicketkeeper batsman Liton Kumar Das, too, has shown touches of brilliance in the two innings he has played, against India and South Africa.
 
Their bowling repertoire, too, has a fine mix of young blood and veterans.
 
Southpaws Shakib Al Hasan, Taijul Islam and leg-spinner Jubair Hossain lead Bangladesh’s spin attack while teenager Mustafizur Rahman, Rubel Hossain and Mohammad Shahid forms the pace battery.
 
Mustafizur was adjudged Man-of-the-Match on his debut in the first Test for his 3 for 37. Naturally, the skipper expects a lot from him.
 
"I hope Mustafiz would be able to do what he has been doing for the last four-five matches. Shahid was brilliant too. I hope they can help out our spin department.”
 
The Tigers restricted the world-class Proteas batting line-up to just 248 in the first innings in Chittagong. 
 
Shahid tightened the screw with seven successive maidens before the spinners reaped the results sending well-set Dean Elgar and Faf du Plessis back.
 
Then Mustafizur’s three wickets in four balls crushed the Proteas middle-order before Jubair took out the tail.
 
South Africa suffered a dramatic collapse losing their last nine wickets for only 112 runs.