Tigers eye first-ever Test series win over New Zealand

They face today

FE Team | Published: December 05, 2023 22:02:36

Bangladesh brimmed with confidence to seal its first ever series victory against New Zealand in the longer format as they take on the visitors in the second and final Test at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium today (Wednesday), report agencies.
The match will start at 9.30 am.
The Tigers lead the series 1-0 following their 150-run victory in the first Test. A draw or victory would give them the series for the first time against a team sans West Indies and Zimbabwe.
The victory came without their biggest match winner and regular captain Shakib Al Hasan and also without some of their key players like Ebadot Hossain, Tamim Iqbal, Taskin Ahmed, Liton Das.
Bangladesh -- who have previously won Test series against Zimbabwe, West Indies, Afghanistan and Ireland -- defeated New Zealand by 150 runs in the first Test in Sylhet.
"If I see any action of complacency, I will have a one-to-one chat," Chandika Hathurusingha told reporters.
"We have to start from zero again," he added. "We are trying to start this game like we started the Sylhet game -- the same anxiety, intensity, hope, and aims."
The victory in the opening Test helped Bangladesh get off to a winning start in the new cycle of the World Test Championship, having finished last on both previous occasions.
Hathurusingha said Bangladesh should target winning all their home matches in the new cycle, before then setting a goal to win abroad.
"Our young players are capable of playing in any conditions," he said.
Bangladesh shone under the leadership of Najmul Hossain Shanto, who stepped into Shakib's shoes as the regular captain. Hathurusingha was impressed by Shanto's captaincy and leadership from the front.
"There are differences between captaincy and leadership," Hathurusingha said. "He did well as a captain. He was always one step ahead in the match, positioning fielders with great thinking, sometimes in unorthodox ways."
Hathurusingha believes that Najmul has a promising future as a captain but deferred the decision of appointing him as captain for an extended period to the board.
"The board will make the final decision on a long-term captain," Chandika added. "But I see him as a strong contender."
While Hathurusingha refrains from hailing the win in Sylhet as the dawn of a new era, he is hopeful for another victory in the second match in Dhaka, starting on Wednesday. This would be a significant start for the Tigers in the new cycle of the ICC World Test Championship.
"It's not possible to change everything overnight," he said. "We have been doing the right things needed to create a good cricketing culture. If we maintain the right process, the results will take care of themselves."
He added that they will stick to the plan they had before starting this series, that is winning the series.
While Bangladesh is preparing for another match to display their Test prowess, Nayeem Hasan might have to be sidelined as the right-arm spinner suffered a blow on his right index finger during a practice session on Tuesday.
In the first match of the series, Nayeem scored 20 runs in two innings and bagged three wickets. Bangladesh won that match by 150 runs.
"I'm happy with Nayeem's performance," Chandika said. "He was the highest wicket-taker in the national league. And he did what he needed to do. He played his role very well."
Meanwhile, New Zealand captain Tim Southee said the second Test would be another battle of spin for both sides.
"I think you come to this part of the world, you expect the spinners to play a big role", Southee told reporters.
"We saw that in the first Test match, and we're expecting similar in the second Test".
Bangladesh have won seven of their last 12 Tests in Dhaka's Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium, including one each against Australia and England.
The Kiwis have not won a Test in Bangladesh since their three-wicket win in Chattogram in 2008.
Their next three Tests ended in draws, before the side slumped to defeat in the opening Test of this series.