Bangladesh vs Australia, 2nd Test Day 1: Shabbir Rahaman scored 66 while Mushfiqur Rahim remained unbeaten at 62.(Source: AP)
Bangladesh vs Australia, 2nd Test Day 1: Bangladesh 253/6 at stumps. Bangladesh made a comeback in the first innings of the second Test against Australia in Chittagong after skipper Mushfiqur Rahim and Sabbir Rahman notched up a partnership of 105 runs. After being reduced ti 117/5, the home side needed a partnership. Captain Rahim and Sabbir steadied the innings for them and both the batsmen scored individual half-centuries. Rahman was later stumped for 66 but Rahim went back in the pavilion unbeaten. For Australia, it was Nathan Lyon who emerged to be the pick of the bowlers. The off-spinner returned with figures of 5/77.
TOSS: Earlier, Bangladesh won the toss and opted to bat first in Chittagong. Steve Smith says he would have batted first too had Australia won the toss. Reckons the pitch is too dry. “I certainly would’ve batted first as well. The pitch looks really dry. Lengths with our bowling have to change. We were a bit short in the first innings and that partnership between Shakib and Tamim cost us dearly the last time around,” he says. Meanwhile, toss-winning captain, Mushfiqur Rahim assessed the pitch the same way and says the first Test win is in the past now. “The wicket looks dry so we will bat first. We know the win is in the past. It is a fresh game and the boys are eager to do well; we have to start fresh,” he says.
TEAM CHANGES: One change for Bangladesh – Mominul Haque replaces Shafiul Islam. For Australia, Usman Khawaja and Josh Hazlewood are the two changes. Their place has been taken by Hilton Cartwright and Steve O’Keefe.
TEAMS: Australia XI: David Warner, Matthew Renshaw, Steve Smith (c), Peter Handscomb, Glenn Maxwell, Hilton Cartwright, Matthew Wade, Ashton Agar, Pat Cummins, Steve O’Keefe, Nathan Lyon
Bangladesh squad: Tamim Iqbal, Soumya Sarkar, Imrul Kayes, Sabbir Rahman, Mushfiqur Rahim (c/wk), Mominal Haque, Shakib Al Hasan, Nasir Hossain, Mehedi Hasan, Taijul Islam, Mustafizur Rahman
PREVIEW: One is in the bag for Bangladesh and dramatically so at that. Another is set to begin, on Monday, in Chittagong to go after a miraculous feat. And miraculous it will be if Bangladesh manage to beat Australia in the second Test of the series having already won the first in Mirpur. The win was the Bangla Tigers’ first ever over a much fancied Australian side. Bangladesh’s previous series wins have come against Zimbabwe and West Indies but beating Australia would take up their credentials up a significant notch. For the visitors, the best they can manage, at this stage, is to level the series even with their team selection under a cloud. The places of Usman Khawaja and Matthew Wade will be up for contention as the Aussies could play three spinners and a seamer for the first time in 40 years. Away from the teams and action on cricket, the weather could play spoilsport and ruin the Aussies’ chances with all five days not looking promising.