Tigers eyeing 2-0 Test series sweep

A confident Bangladesh will be eyeing a dominant display over the visiting West Indies and a 2-0 series win in their second and final Test match, which will begin Friday morning.

The Tigers won the first Test by 64 runs in Chittagong last week where the spinners dominated throughout the game, as it ended within three days.

Bangladesh face a major concern over Mushfiqur Rahim’s availability as the wicketkeeper-batman was injured during a practice session Wednesday. 

As back-up, Liton Kumar Das was called up to the squad, and a final decision will be taken prior to the match.

Top-order batsman Liton Kumar Das has been included as a back-up of wicketkeeper-batsman @mushfiqur15 in the 13-man @BCBtigers squad ahead of their second and final Test match against the West Indies.https://t.co/m6uJpbBwXm#BCBTIGERS #BCB #TIGERS #WINDIES #WESTINDIES #CWI #WEST

— Dhaka Tribune Sports (@Sport_DT) November 29, 2018

If Mushfiq is unable to play in the second Test, Liton is likely to take his place, and play as a wicketkeeper-batsman. 

Bangladesh captain Shakib al Hasan said they will play with a positive mindset, despite being concerned over the condition of the wicket, and definitely target a win.

“It’s hard to predict any wicket in the world, not only Mirpur. We can understand it better once the match rolls on. It’s a five-day game. Generally, the wicket changes after every day, and even after each session. So we will play with an open mind and without a fixed plan about the wicket,” Shakib said during the pre-match press conference in Mirpur’s Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium Thursday.

After success in the Chittagong Test, the Bangladesh team management might opt for four spinners and one pacer yet again in the playing XI. 

No fracture after Mushfiq hit by ball in nets https://t.co/EccmlNA2vW#Bangladesh wicket-keeper batsman #Mushfiqur Rahim’s appearance for the second #Test against the #WestIndies was hit with uncertainty due an injury during practice on Wednesday.

— Dhaka Tribune Sports (@Sport_DT) November 28, 2018

But Shakib hinted that the management would think about the pace bowling options due to the state of the wicket. 

Bangladesh played with two pacers, Mustafizur Rahman and Khaled Ahmed, the last time they played against Zimbabwe here. 

“The Dhaka wicket generally helps pacers in the early hours of the morning, particularly in this type of weather where there is chance of fog. So this is under our consideration,” added the all-rounder. 

The Windies are dealing with a major blow as one of their main strike bowlers Shannon Gabriel is suspended for this game. 

Mominul gets career best Test ranking https://t.co/1zE5okRoVE#Bangladesh top order batsman #Mominul Haque has enjoyed his best #run scoring season in his career so far, where he has scored 644 runs from seven #Tests at an average of 46.

— Dhaka Tribune Sports (@Sport_DT) November 28, 2018

The visiting are already without their regular captain Jason Holder owing to injury, but stand-in captain Kraigg Brathwaite said the West Indies are confident of bouncing back.  

“We are not feeling pressure. We are confident of bouncing back in the series and I believe we can draw the series from here. In the first Test, we conceded 40-50 extra runs and dropped some catches. We need to improve on that. Obviously loosing Gabriel is a loss for us. But we have options and we will decide prior to the match who will play in that spot,” opener Brathwaite said during the pre-game presser.

Winning the toss could prove to be crucial as batting first will be the target for both the teams in Mirpur.

The match will start at 9:30am local time.