Trailing by a 1-0 in the two-match Test series against South Africa, in a bid to level the series and to avoid the successive Whitewash, Tigers will begin their second Test at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium, Chattogram, from Today.
In the first Test at the Shere Bangla National Stadium, Mirpur, South Africa registered a convincing win to take a 1-0 lead in the series.
Tigers were very unimpressive in the first Test when they came into bat first and managed only a paltry 106 runs and in response, the Proteas scored 308 to take a healthy lead.
Though the hosts Bangladesh had a much-improved performance in the second innings with scoring 307 runs, thanks to 97-run knock by Mehidy Hasan Miraz. But was not enough to avoid the defeat or even to draw, as the visitors eventually won the match by seven wickets.
After the crushing defeat in the first Test, Tigers eyeing to give a tougher fight to in the hopes of levelling the series.
Considering the previous character of the pitch, it is speculated that the surface at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium will assist the bowlers. It is usually a slow pitch, the spinners are expected to have advantage and batters will need to stay patient throughout the game.
However, instead of captain Nazmul Hassan Shanto, Tajul Islam talked to the pre-match press conference on Monday. And the press conference started with some common queries regarding the Test match but after a while, Taijul had to answer a number of questions regarding Shanto’s reluctance to carry on as captain.
Taijul, who initially denied to speaking on the captain’s issue when he said that he hasn't heard anything like that but admitted that some players may face problems with off-field issues coming right before a match.
“How the team work on the field, is matters. I always try to stay cool and try to do my job. Actually everyone doesn't possess everything the same way.". Taijul replied to a query in the press meet.
Replyin to a query reagarding Shanto’s retirement, Tajul said, “I really don't have the answer to the question. Me or other players are not involved in management or board meetings. We are not involved in deciding who will be the captain or coach,” he said.
Taijul also said that he is ready to take charge of the Test unit, if the opportunity arrives.
“As I have been playing for 10 years, I think I'm fully ready," Taijul said with a smiling face.
Some players like pacers Nahid Rana and Hasan Mahmud were missing the practice session on Monday when Zakir Hasan, who played an NCL match for Sylhet against Chattogram, is expected to fly from Sylhet to join the team.
Bangladesh could go with a similar lineup for the second Test against South Africa when Shadman Islam and Mahmudul Hasan Joy will have to take more responsibility in abid to level the series.
Probable Playing eleven of Bangladesh - Shadman Islam, Mahmudul Hasan Joy, Najmul Hossain Shanto (c) Mominul Haque, Mushfiqur Rahim, Litton Das (wk), Jaker Ali Anik, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taijul Islam, Hasan Mahmud, Zakir Hasan and Nahid Rana.
South Africa are also expected to go with a similar lineup as the first Test. With the likes of Tony de Zorzi, Tristan Stubbs, and Ryan Rickleton in the side, the Proteas batting looks solid and the team would aim for another solid show like the first Test.
