Second Test preview: Bangladesh v Zimbabwe

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Cricket365
November 2, 2014

The second Test between Bangladesh and Zimbabwe will be played at the Sheikh Abu Naser Stadium in Khulna, where there has only been one Test before, and the side with the best batsmen will be in for some fun.

The only Test here in 2012 saw the West Indies score huge runs, with two tons and a double century coming in one innings alone, and with the Tigers leading the series already, they will be keen to wrap up a whitewash.

The first Test saw a tense finish as the hosts chased 101 to win. They were three down for no runs on the board though, and it ended up being much tighter than anticipated, after Taijul Islam decimated the Zimbos earlier on.

As such, Bangladesh will be confident going in, having dropped paceman Al-Amin Hossain and bringing in Anamul Haque, a batsman to take advantage of what could be a road to bat on.

Zimbabwe were abysmal against spin in Dhaka, so this track should be a bit kinder to them, given that pace has done best here. They are more confident against fast bowling, and will hope to avoid giving Taijul another eight-fer.

The home batting wasn't overly impressive in Dhaka either, with no inning going over 260, so they will hope to increase their averages and at least take the game past day three this time.

Key Men For the hosts, Shakib-al-Hasan is key. He took six wickets in the first innings in Dhaka, a triumphant return from suspension by all accounts, and he is also one of their better batsmen, though he didn't impress in the first outing.

The Zimbabweans will once again look to their skipper Brendan Taylor for the runs. He scored 45 in the second innings, which saw them 114 all out, so can handle himself against spin, as his IPL selection has shown.

Last Five Head-To-Head Results 2014 First Test: Bangladesh won by three wickets in Dhaka 2013 Second Test: Bangladesh won by 143 runs in Harare 2013 First Test: Zimbabwe won by 335 runs in Harare 2011 Only Test: Zimbabwe won by 133 runs in Harare 2005 Second Test: Match drawn in Dhaka

Squads Bangladesh: Mushfiqur Rahim (captain), Tamim Iqbal (vice-captain), Shakib Al Hasan, Shamsur Rahman, Mominul Haque, Rubel Hossain, Shuvagata Hom, Mahmudullah, Shafiul Islam, Jubair Hossain, Shahadat Hossain, Marshall Ayub, Anamul Haque, Taijul Islam

Zimbabwe: Brendan Taylor (capt), Sikandar Raza, Regis Chakabva, Brian Chari, Tendai Chatara, Elton Chigumbura, Craig Ervine, Tafadzwa Kamungozi, Hamilton Masakadza, Shingi Masakadza, Wellington Masakadza, Natsai M'shangwe, Richmond Mutumbami, John Nyumbu, Tinashe Panyangara, Vusi Sibanda, Malcolm Waller

Dates: 3-7 November Morning session: 09:30:00-11:30 (03:30-05:30 GMT) Afternoon session: 12:10-14:10 (07:10-09:10 GMT) Evening session: 14:30-16:30 (09:30-11:30 GMT) On-field umpires: Billy Bowden and Aleem Dar Third umpire: S Ravi Match referee: Chris Broad