Bangladesh vs Zimbabwe: 1st Test, Preview- Sylhet all geared up for its first ever Test

Zimbabwe will also be playing their maiden Test this year.

Published - 02 Nov 2018, 18:56 IST | Updated - 02 Nov 2018, 18:56 IST

2 Min Read

After annihilating Zimbabwe in the ODI series, Bangladesh are now set to lock horns with them in the first match of the two-Test series. The first encounter is scheduled to take place from tomorrow at Sylhet International Cricket Stadium, a venue which is set to host its first ever Test match. However, the ground has already been a witness to seven T20 Internationals.

The Tigers would be the firm favourites despite the fact that they won’t have the likes of Shakib Al Hasan and Tamim Iqbal in their ranks. A lot would also depend on their interim skipper Mahmudullah regarding how the all-rounder marshals his troops on home soil. Zimbabwe, on the other hand, have to pull a rabbit out of the hat in order to outclass their opponents.

They will also be playing their maiden Test this year with their last match coming against South Africa in the four-day Day-Night Test at Port Elizabeth. Moreover, they are yet to win a Test for the last five years. Nevertheless, the visitors have rolled Bangladesh over on quite a few instances in Test cricket and the home team can’t afford to undermine them by any means.

Team Combination

Bangladesh

Imrul Kayes and Liton Das are the opening batsman with left-handed Mominul Haque to follow. Mushfiqur Rahim, Mohammad Mithun, and Mahmudullah are the experienced personnel in the middle-order. Taijul Islam, Mehidy Hasan, and Nazmul Islam are the spin trio with Mustafizur Rahman and Abu Jayed being the fast bowlers. Mehidy is no mug with the bat either.

Predicted XI

Imrul Kayes, Liton Das, Mominul Haque, Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), Mohammad Mithun, Mahmudullah (C), Mehidy Hasan, Taijul Islam, Nazmul Islam, Mustafizur Rahman, Abu Jayed

Zimbabwe

Hamilton Masakadza and Regis Chakabva are the opening batsmen. The onus will be on the likes of Craig Ervine, Brendan Taylor, and Sean Williams to shepherd the middle-order. Williams is also a handy prospect with the ball in hand. Raza and Moor provide depth to the batting. Wellington Masakadza, Mavuta are the specialist tweakers with Jarvis and Chatara being the pacers.

Predicted XI

Hamilton Masakadza (C), Regis Chakabva, Craig Ervine, Brendan Taylor, Sean Williams, Sikandar Raza, Peter Moor (wk), Brandon Mavuta, Wellington Masakadza, Tendai Chatara, Kyle Jarvis

Focus will be on

Liton Das- Bangladesh

The Dinajpur-born cricketer recently became Bangladesh’s fastest centurion in first-class cricket and was impressive in the ODI series against Zimbabwe as well. But his Test record isn’t something great and he would want to improve his numbers with some useful knocks under his belt. He is a naturally attacking batsman and it would be interesting to see the approach he treads.

Brendan Taylor- Zimbabwe

Taylor is undoubtedly one of Zimbabwe’s most reliable batsmen. More crucially, he has an experience of playing as many as five Tests in Bangladesh. Hence, the 32-year-old player from Harare would have the knowledge of the playing conditions as well as the nature of the track. The visiting team’s fate would depend on the knocks he plays in the red-ball fixtures.