Top Ad
I DIG Radio
www.idigradio.com
Listen live to the best music from around the world!
I DIG Style
www.idigstyle.com
Learn about the latest fashion styles and more...

Wounded Bangladesh seek red-ball boost against Pakistan

Written by 
Published in Cricket
Thursday, 25 November 2021 01:38

Big Picture

Bangladesh will look to bridge the gap in experience, skills and temperament with Pakistan, who have so far looked to be in control on this tour, when the two teams meet for the first Test in Chattogram on Friday. The 3-0 series win in Dhaka didn't just show the difference in the two teams' T20 skillset, but also their overall moods. Pakistan seem more organised and clear in thinking while Bangladesh cricket is in disarray.

The only saving grace for the home side is the change in format, although Pakistan too would be glad to take a break after a period of busy T20 cricket.

Pakistan's middle order has to be assertive as they struggle to put together an opening combination. Azhar Ali and captain Babar Azam lend class and experience while Mohammad Rizwan and Fawad Alam have the flair to contribute valuable runs. Babar and Rizwan's success in opening in T20Is will need to be translated into middle-order dependency in Tests.

Imam-ul-Haq and Abid Ali will be Pakistan's opening pair - the Abid-Imran Butt opened in their last six Tests. The 22-year-old Abdullah Shafique, who has struck two centuries in three first-class matches, is an interesting inclusion in the 12-player squad that was announced on Thursday.

Pakistan will have Shaheen Shah Afridi and Hasan Ali to take up the new ball with Faheem Ashraf being considered the pace-bowling allround option at No 7. Left-arm spinner Nauman Ali and offspinner Sajid Khan, who made his debut earlier this year against Zimbabwe, will be the likely spinners.

Bangladesh will look at captain Mominul Haque and the experienced Mushfiqur Rahim to do the heavy-lifting for the batting line-up. The hosts will be without the injured Tamim Iqbal and Shakib Al Hasan, and the recently-retired Mahmudullah, which will be a huge void to fill in.

Top-order batters Shadman Islam and Najmul Hossain Shanto have to tackle Pakistan's new-ball force before the experienced Mominul and Mushfiqur come in. There might be a debut on the offing for both Yasir Ali and Mahmudul Hasan Joy, with Liton Das coming in at No 7. Yasir has been warming the bench for some time now after being in all the squads for the Tests this year, while Joy, who has mostly batted at No 3, was picked on the back of a promising domestic return where he hit back-to-back first-class centuries recently.

Bangladesh will mostly go with seven batters with Taijul Islam and Mehidy Hasan Miraz as the main spinners. Both have been in good form in domestic cricket lately and will be expected to bowl the bulk of the overs in Shakib's absence.

However, their pace attack seems to be lean as only Abu Jayed has been in some kind of rhythm. Rejaur Rahman Raja, the surprise pick in the Test squad, could be handed a debut after getting rave reviews from high-performance bowling coach Champaka Ramanayake.

Form guide

(Last five completed matches, most recent first) Bangladesh WLDLL
Pakistan WLWWW

In the spotlight

Pakistan will look at Shaheen Shah Afridi to lead the bowling attack and give early breakthroughs. Afridi may not find a lot of help from the Chattogram pitch which usually assists spinners, but he should use the breeze that blows across the ground.

Najmul Hossain Shanto scored two hundreds in Bangladesh's last three Tests, against Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka respectively, and also made a first-class century recently. Despite being in form, Shanto could be troubled by Pakistan's quality fast bowlers. His role at No. 3 will be crucial for Bangladesh.

Team news

Bangladesh are considering as many as three Test debutants in this game. Mominul has hinted that Joy may open while Yasir is a strong candidate at No 6. Rookie fast bowler Raja may also play ahead of Ebadot Hossain.

Bangladesh (probable): 1 Shadman Islam 2 Mahmudul Hasan Joy, 3 Najmul Hossain Shanto, 4 Mominul Haque (capt), 5 Mushfiqur Rahim, 6 Yasir Ali, 7 Liton Das (wk), 8 Taijul Islam, 9 Mehidy Hasan Miraz, 10 Abu Jayed, 11 Ebadot Hossain/Rejaur Rahman Raja

Sajid Khan could partner Nauman Ali in the spin attack, which would leave batter Shafique out of Pakistan's XI. They are without Imran Butt, who was dropped from the squad, and Mohammad Abbas, from their last Test against West Indies.

Pakistan (probable): 1 Imam-ul-Haq, 2 Abid Ali, 3 Azhar Ali 4 Babar Azam (capt), 5 Fawad Alam, 6 Mohammad Rizwan (wk), 7 Faheem Ashraf, 8 Nauman Ali, 9 Hasan Ali, 10 Shaheen Shah Afridi, 11 Sajid Khan

Pitch and conditions

West Indies successfully chased 395 runs in the fourth innings in the last Chattogram Test, which suggests that the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury pitch will generally hold up for the entire five days. Temperatures are expected to be mild.

Stats and trivia

  • Abbas is ten wickets short of completing 100 Test wickets.
  • Yasir has already taken six catches as a substitute fielder before making his international debut.
  • Quotes

    "It is a challenge for a young captain like me to head into the new WTC cycle with a young team. We have always required senior players on the Test side. Shakib bhai, Tamim bhai and Taskin are regular players. But it is a continuous process. We have to move on. We cannot be disappointed all the time. I firmly believe it is a huge opportunity for the younger players."

    Bangladesh captain Mominul Haque on their inexperienced squad

    Mohammad Isam is ESPNcricinfo's Bangladesh correspondent. @isam84

    Read 153 times

    Soccer

    Breaking down the Premier League title race, and why Arsenal could edge Man City

    Breaking down the Premier League title race, and why Arsenal could edge Man City

    EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsHollywood might struggle to match what looks like being an edge-of-...

    Sources: Giroud finalizing DP deal with LAFC

    Sources: Giroud finalizing DP deal with LAFC

    EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsMLS side LAFC is finalizing a deal with AC Milan and France interna...

    Purce out for Olympics, NWSL season with ACL

    Purce out for Olympics, NWSL season with ACL

    EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsNJ/NY Gotham FC and United States women's national team winger Midg...

    2026 FIFA


    2028 LOS ANGELES OLYMPIC

    UEFA

    Basketball

    MPJ defends brother amid betting investigation

    MPJ defends brother amid betting investigation

    EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsDenver Nuggets forward Michael Porter Jr. said Wednesday night that...

    Rockets, with play-in in sight, win 10th straight

    Rockets, with play-in in sight, win 10th straight

    EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsOKLAHOMA CITY -- Houston Rockets owner Tilman Fertitta, front offic...

    Baseball

    Athletics' Andújar has surgery, could miss month

    Athletics' Andújar has surgery, could miss month

    EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsOAKLAND, Calif. -- Athletics outfielder Miguel Andujar had surgery...

    Boone to Soto: Don't defer to Yankees veterans

    Boone to Soto: Don't defer to Yankees veterans

    EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsOn the eve of the New York Yankees' season opener at Minute Maid Pa...

    Sports Leagues

    • FIFA

      Fédération Internationale de Football Association
    • NBA

      National Basketball Association
    • ATP

      Association of Tennis Professionals
    • MLB

      Major League Baseball
    • ITTF

      International Table Tennis Federation
    • NFL

      Nactional Football Leagues
    • FISB

      Federation Internationale de Speedball

    About Us

    I Dig® is a leading global brand that makes it more enjoyable to surf the internet, conduct transactions and access, share, and create information.  Today I Dig® attracts millions of users every month.r

     

    Phone: (800) 737. 6040
    Fax: (800) 825 5558
    Website: www.idig.com
    Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

    Affiliated