Bangladesh seek winning start at latest Test venue

**OverviewBangladesh v Zimbabwe**1st Test
Sylhet International Cricket Stadium
Saturday, 3 November, 09:30am local time, 03:30am GMT

Bangladesh will look to get off to a winning start when they take on Zimbabwe in the first of two Tests, starting Saturday, 3 November in Sylhet – the picturesque venue will host its first Test match.

The home team will be riding high on confidence after defeating Zimbabwe 3-0 in the one-day internationals, and will be keen to stamp their authority in the longest format too.

The teams last squared off in a Test series in 2014, when Bangladesh clean-swept Zimbabwe 3-0 in home conditions. Since then, Bangladesh have only become a more formidable Test side at home, as victories against the likes of England and Australia in recent years will suggest.

Zimbabwe, on the other hand, haven't won a Test match in a little over five years – their last was a famous 24-run victory against Pakistan in Harare in September 2013. Since then Zimbabwe have lost 11 out of the 12 Tests they have played, managing a lone draw.

But Bangladesh can ill-afford to take things lightly. Their last Test assignment – a two-Test series in the West Indies – saw them crumble to two innings defeats. Even at home, they lost heavily to Sri Lanka in February 2018 in Dhaka. So, while they have become a better team, there remain chinks in the armour.

The injury-enforced absence of Tamim Iqbal and Shakib Al Hasan makes things a lot more challenging for Bangladesh, but it also presents an opportunity for the likes of Mohammad Mithun, Nazmul Hossain and Ariful Haque to make a statement. Mushfiqur Rahim will have to guide the way with the bat alongside Mahmudullah. Opener Imrul Kayes, who was outstanding in the ODIs, will also look to bring his form into the Tests.

Zimbabwe will have to focus on not only tackling spin-friendly conditions with the bat, but also exploiting them with the ball in order to put the pressure back on a slightly inexperienced batting line-up.

Bangladesh's bowling attack wears a potent look, although Shakib's absence is likely to be felt in this department too. The likes of Mehidy Hasan, Mustafizur Rahman and Taijul Islam have enjoyed success at home and will look to build on that reputation.

Zimbabwe have a host of experienced batsmen in captain Hamilton Masakadza, Brendan Taylor, Sean Williams and Craig Ervine. Of these, Taylor and Williams come into the Tests with good form from the ODIs. But it will be important for all of them to chip in with contributions and stitch partnerships against a fine bowling attack.

Key players

Imrul Kayes (Bangladesh): The opener hasn't exactly stamped his mark in Test cricket, averaging just 26.23 from 34 matches so far. But if his form in the ODIs is anything to go by – he scored 349 runs at 116.33 – this could be his time to sparkle. Moreover, in the absence of Iqbal, it becomes that much more important for him to give his side the solid starts.

Sean Williams (Zimbabwe): Typically a batting-all-rounder, Williams's role in the sub-continent becomes even more important thanks to assistance for spin bowling. His left-arm spin wasn't too effective in the ODIs, but on the wearing surfaces he will find more turn to exploit. With the bat, his form has been pretty good, and it crucial for him to continue in the same vein.

Conditions

The weather should be warm and sunny for most part during the course of the match in Sylhet. There is, however, forecast for a bit of rain as well. This will be the venue's debut Test match, and it will be interesting to see what type of surface is on offer, but one expects spin to play a big part. Typically, the Sylhet pitch is pretty good for batting as well.

Squads

Bangladesh: Mahmudullah (c), Imrul Kayes, Liton Das, Mominul Haque, Nazmul Hossain Shanto, Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), Ariful Haque, Mehidy Hasan, Taijul Islam, Abu Jayed, Shafiul Islam, Mustafizur Rahman, Mohammad Mithun, Khaled Ahmed, Nazmul Islam

Zimbabwe: Hamilton Masakadza (c), Brian Chari, Craig Ervine, Brendan Taylor (wk), Sean Williams, Sikandar Raza, Peter Moor, Regis Chakabva, Donald Tiripano, Kyle Jarvis, Brandon Mavuta, John Nyumbu, Wellington Masakadza, Ryan Burl, Tendai Chatara, Christopher Mpofu