KHULNA, Nov 2 (UNB): Bangladesh will play Zimbabwe in the 2nd Test of the Bashundhara Cement Test series beginning today (Monday) in their lucky ground-Sheikh Abu Naser Stadium-here with a hope to seal series with a match to spare.
The match will begin at 9:30 am local time.
The city of Khulna is ready to host the Test match after a gap of two years. The city was given a new facelift on the occasion and a three-tier security measure is in place.
The Tigers, led by Mushfiqur Rahim, reached Khulna Thursday night in a happy mood having a 1-0 lead in the three-match Test series beating the visiting side by three wickets in Dhaka Test last week.
Zimbabwe also wants to bounce back in the series beating hosts Bangladesh in the Khulna Test.
Khulna is the lucky ground for Bangladesh as the Tigers beat West Indies and Kenya in ODI matches and defeated Zimbabwe in T20 match, but lost the only Test match to West Indies.
Addressing a press conference at the Khulna Abu Naser Stadium Sunday, Bangladesh Captain Mushfiqur Rahim said, "Our target is to win the series beating Zimbabwe (in 2nd Test) before 5th day…. we have no other alternative but to win the match."
"We have some good batsmen. If they click with some fifties or hundreds and make a good start in the opening stand by Tamim and Shamsur, then we'll able to make a big score before Zimbabwe to put them in pressure," the Tigers captain added.
"This Test in very important for us…. we want to win it and we're ready for it," he further said.
Observing that the Tigers are leading Zimbabwe in all divisions-batting, bowling and fielding - Mushfiqur said, "Especially our spin attack led by Shakib is our main weapon. All cricketers, including Tamim and Taijul, are also fully fit. Now, we've to make a good start."
Zimbabwe captain Brendan Taylor said they want to make a fresh start in the new venue winning the new match. "Bangladesh is a very strong side…we're now preparing to face their spin attack."
Both the Bangladesh and Zimbabwe cricket teams, staying at City Inn Hotel, made their hard practices on Friday and Saturday at the Sheikh Abu Naser Stadium. But they made light practice on Sunday ahead of the 2nd Test.
Mushfiqur Rahim will lead his side for the 18th time, equaling Habibul Bashar's record for Bangladesh. Bangladesh seriously need to win the series to overtake Zimbabwe in the Test rankings.
Mominul Haque is 70 short of becoming the 12th Bangladesh player to 1000 Test runs.
The ticket price for Eastern Standard is fixed a Tk 20 while for Western Gallery Tk 50, Club House (East and West) Tk 75, International East and West Tk 100 and BCB Corporate Tk 1,000 (available at the United Commercial Bank Khulna branch).
Most of the tickets of the 12,000 capacity stadium have already been sold out by Sunday afternoon.
Bangladesh squad (probable): Tamim Iqbal, Shamsur Rahman, Mominul Haque, Mahmudullah, Mushfiqur Rahim (captain), Shakib Al Hasan, Anamul Haque, Jubair Hossain, Shafiul Islam/Rubel Hossain, Shahadat Hossain and Taijul Islam.
Zimbabwe Squad (probable): Vusi Sibanda, Sikandar Raza, Hamilton Masakadza, Brendan Taylor (captain), Regis Chakabva, Craig Ervine, Elton Chigumbura, Tinashe Panyangara, John Nyumbu, Tafadzwa Kamungozi/Natsai M'Shangwe and Tendai Chatara.
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