BAN v ENG, 1st Test Preview: Pink slips and ICC ratings up for grabs at Chittagong

While England has been at the receiving end of a lot of Test matches in the calendar year, the first BAN v ENG Test will only add to their tally in the ICC rankings. As for Bangladesh, they are on the receiving end of what they have been craving for. The fact that Bangladesh is included in the Test championship without the two-tier system is certainly an important step up as far as Bangladesh cricket is concerned.

As for their opponents, the Brits are taking the field once again with their Test skipper absent. However, given their impressive performance in the tour matches, it is clear that they will be looking to get the ball rolling in Bangladesh. That said, a mouthwatering encounter is most certainly on the cards as these two sides take the field in the first BAN v ENG Test at Chittagong.

Team News

Bangladesh

When the ECB made the executive decision to go ahead with the tour of Bangladesh, it was clear that the Bangladeshis would most certainly have a game on their hands. While many would agree that Bangladesh is going through a renaissance period in their cricketing history, they will also be looking to add to their set of international scalps in Test cricket.

The spotlight, in this case, will definitely be on Shakib-al-Hasan. Apart from the records that stand to be broken by the former Pakistan skipper, he will be a central figure in the upcoming match. Sabbir Rahman, who is expected to be handed a debut will be hoping that he will be able to make an impact in the encounter.

Also read- Alastair Cook is motivated to do well after the birth of second daughter

England

Similar to the ODIs, England will be without their skipper Alastair Cook. However, the absence of the 30-year old opens up many an exciting opportunity for some of the players in the labyrinth of English county cricket Joe Root, who has been under the wings of skipper Cook for the most part, will see himself grow into the leadership role with Ben Stokes playing the part of Root’s deputy.

Haseeb Hameed and Ben Duckett will make their much-awaited debuts after impressive quite a bit in the warm-up matches will be expected to make their mark. Also, with the absence of James Anderson, it will be clear that a spot has opened up in the bowling department as well. Whether it will be filled by Mark Wood or Jake Ball remains to be seen. Stuart Broad, who will be playing in his 99th Test will be the undisputed leader of the pace attack.

Probable XI

Bangladesh:

Mushfiqur Rahim (C/wk), Tamim Iqbal, Imrul Kayes, Soumya Sarkar, Shakib Al Hasan, Sabbir Rahman, Mahmudullah, Mehedi Hasan, Shafiul Islam, Kamrul Islam Rabbi, Taijul Islam

England:

Joe Root (C), Jonny Bairstow (wk), Haseeb Hameed, Ben Duckett, Gary Ballance, Ben Stokes, Moeen Ali, Adil Rashid, Stuart Broad, Chris Woakes, Mark Wood/Jake Ball

StAttack

1. Bangladesh is playing their first Test match since July 2015. That was against South Africa where the Bangladeshis drew 0-0 in the series.

2. The last four series Bangladesh has played has been at home. This will be the fifth consecutive series Bangladesh will be playing at home.

3. Bangladesh has won just the one match at Chittagong. England however, has a 100% record at this venue having won the one Test they played in March 2010.

4. Shakib Al Hasan requires 177 runs to complete 3000 Test match runs. Nasir Hossain requires 29 runs to complete 1000 Test runs. Shakib-al-Hasan requires 3 wickets to complete 150 Test wickets.

5. Mushfiqur Rahim requires 14 dismissals to complete 100 Test match dismissals. Should he achieve this, he will become the first Bangladeshi keeper to do so. He is also one behind Khaled Mashud, the former keeper.

6. Stuart Broad is playing his 99th Test at Chittagong and will become one of the elite members of the England side to complete 100 matches in the second Test.