After Chattogram classic, West Indies, Bangladesh set for decider

Overview

Bangladesh v West Indies, 2nd Test
Sher-E-Bangla National Stadium, Mirpur, Dhaka
11-15 February; 9.30am local time, 3.30am GMT

The last time West Indies managed to win a series comprising more than one Test in Asia was in 2012, when they beat Bangladesh 2-0. Their hopes of repeating that feat were given a big boost by their performance in the first Test, when the Kyle Myers scored a debut double-century to lead them to a historic, improbable win.

It would have been a fine achievement for any team, let alone one devoid of their regular captain and a host of mainstays. The question now is whether Phil Simmons, the coach, can condition the side to face the inevitable Bangladesh fightback that will follow.

Bangladesh were dealt a blow towards that end in the lead-up to the series, when Shakib Al Hasan, their ace all-rounder, was ruled out of the second Test after failing to recover from a groin injury. Soumya Sarkar was named as a replacement by the Bangladesh Cricket Board on Tuesday, and it remains to be seen if he makes the XI straightaway.

Sarkar last played a Test in September 2019 against Afghanistan, when he scored 17 and 15. If he makes the XI this time around, he will hope to improve on those returns. Bangladesh will need him to.

They will also be without the services of their opening batsman, Shadman Islam, who was ruled out with a hip injury, ahead of the Dhaka clash.

Remember the last time

It was a classic. Batting first, Bangladesh posted 430 after a fine, maiden century from Mehidy Hasan. In response, West Indies struggled, and managed just 260, largely thanks to a fighting 68 from Jermaine Blackwood.

In the second innings, Mominul Haque, the Bangladesh captain, scored a 10th Test century – the first time by a Bangladesh batsman – the home side declared at 223/8, setting West Indies a hefty target of 395. Almost improbably, on a fifth-day pitch, Myers and Nkrumah Bonner, two debuts, put on a double-century partnership to drive West Indies to the target, with Myers fitting scoring the winning runs in an unbeaten 210*.

What they said

Mominul Haque, Bangladesh captain: “We lost, but we got some positives. We played the first innings as a team, and we dominated first four days.”

Phil Simmons, West Indies coach: “We have to make sure we don't go backwards again. We are trying hard to put things in place so that we don't go in that direction."