Back of the historical run-chase at Chattogram, confident West Indies face Bangladesh in the second Test of the series. Windies have a solid chance to win a Test series in the subcontinent after a long time.
Match Timings: Feb 11, 9 AM IST
Team Preview
2021 is the year where visiting sides are hunting the hosts in Tests. After Gabba’s heroics by India, West Indies scripted a remarkable run-chase of 395 to stun Bangladesh in Chattogram. Kayle Mayers booked his name in the history-book with an outstanding batting-show on his debut Test. Mayers scored a memorable double ton in the debut Test to become the only sixth player to achieve this feat. Bangladesh have no answer about this defeat, but they would look to bounce back in the final Test to avoid a series defeat at home. The hosts will be without their leading player Shakib who has taken paternity leave, and Soumya Sarkar will replace him. Shadman Islam has also been ruled out due to injury and Mohammad Mithun might replace him. Bangladesh’s Test numbers are not so convincing, and it was the second surprising defeat for them after Afghanistan’s victory in a single Test.
Nobody has given West Indies a chance in the absence of its key players like Shai Hope and Jason Holder. 395 in sub-continent by a visiting side on the fifth day is like climbing a mountain, and West Indies did this job despite losing three early wickets. Bonner and Mayers put 216-runs stand for the 4th wicket. Joshua Da Silva also contributed runs and added 100 runs for the 6th wicket. Windies were in a good position in the first innings, but a late collapse hurt them. From 253/5, Windies slipped to 259 all-out. After picking Bangladesh’s 6 wickets on 248, Windies allowed hosts to score more, and the last four wickets added 182 runs. The bowling unit impressed in the 2nd innings, and Bangladesh declared on 223/8. West Indies can look for improvement despite having a 1-0 lead in the series. Brathwaite and Blackwood are the pillars of its batting unit, and both got half-centuries in the previous match. Warrican scalped 7 wickets in the last match, and Cornwall grabbed five. The pace-attack has also been impressive.
Meanwhile, Bangladesh has to improve a lot after the first game. In both innings, top-order struggled. In the first innings, Mehidy Hasan rescued the hosts with a maiden hundred, and in the second innings, Mominul scored 115 to deny West Indies any advantage. Liton Das showed great skills in both innings. The batting collapse from West Indies in the first innings also helped the Hosts gain a big lead, but the bowling attack couldn’t sustain it in 4th innings. Windies were three down on 75, but hosts allowed Bonner and Mayers to settle on the pitch. Mehidy Hasan picked 8 wickets in the match, but he lacked support from another end. Hosts are still favourites, but Windies would look for an aggressive approach. Toss will be an important factor, and it will decide the outcome of this game.
Pitch Report
Shere Bangla Stadium is a good batting surface, and it allows spinners to dominate the game from the third day. Batting first is an ideal call after winning the toss. Any target above 270-300 will be the most challenging task to chase. Morning sessions can help pacers, but it’s more about spinners.
Possible XI
Bangladesh
Tamim Iqbal, Mohammad Mithun, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Mominul Haque (c), Mushfiqur Rahim, Soumya Sarkar, Liton Das (wk), Mehidy Hasan, Nayeem Hasan, Taijul Islam, Mustafizur Rahman
West Indies
Kraigg Brathwaite (c), John Campbell, Jermaine Blackwood, Sheyne Moseley, Nkrumah Bonner, Joshua Da Silva (wk), Kyle Mayers, Rahkeem Cornwall, Jomel Warrican, Kemar Roach, Shannon Gabriel
Key Players
West Indies
Jermaine Blackwood
WTC 2019-21 – M: 7, Runs: 542, Avg: 41.69
Previous match – 68 & 9
Jomel Warrican
Test career – M: 9, Wickets: 29, Avg: 36.62
Previous match – 190/7
Bangladesh
Mushfiqur Rahim
In last two years – M: 5, Runs: 463, Avg: 57.88
Mehidy Hasan
WTC 2019-21 – M: 3, Wickets: 9, Runs: 171
Previous Match – 171/8 & 110
