On to the second test!

After Zimbabwe smashed Bangladesh by 335 runs in the first test, the visitors will be looking to bounce back in the second test at the same venue. Zimbabwe meanwhile will be hoping to record a clean-sweep series victory which will give them some much needed confidence after being thoroughly outplayed in the West Indies.

Bangladesh were incredibly disappointing in the first match only making a total of 281 runs across both innings. As a comparison Brendan Taylor made 273 (for 1 I might add). Robiul Islam though collected 9 wickets (including a 6-for in the second innings), in the process becoming the first Bangladeshi paceman to get a five-wicket haul for three years. It really was an impressive performance by Robiul.  Nonetheless as a team Bangladesh came into this tour with their batsmen in some form and the favourites tag placed on them. This was due to them showing some encouraging signs in their recent test sightings against West Indies and Sri Lanka,  If they don't win this second test, you get a sense that it has been one step forward and then two steps back for the tigers.

As I mentioned before Brendan Taylor scored a combined 273 runs. He hit a ton in each innings with his 171 in the first innings being the highest score by a Zimbabwe captain. After a thoroughly disappointing tour to the West Indies only last month, he has come out and reminded the cricket world the talent that he possesses. Without Taylor, only Malcolm Waller scored above 50, so it shows just how important his innings was.

There have been numerous changes made for the second test, with four for Bangladesh. Tamim Iqbal has been rushed back from his injury layoff, while Mominul Haque, debutant Ziaur Rahman and Sajidul Islam (first test in five years) have been drafted in. Mahmudullah after some poor form of late, Shahriar Nafees, Enamul Haque jnr and Rubel Hossain make way. For the home side batsman Regis Chakabva comes in for make-shift opener Timycen Maruma who apparently suffered a knee injury.

Score update:
Lunch Day 2
Zimbabwe 1/0 (1.0 over)
Bangladesh 391 (113.2 overs)

After Zimbabwe won the toss and bowling, Bangladesh have just been bowled out for a good score of 391. Current captain Mushfiqur (81) and the former captain, Shakib (81) steadied the ship after some disappointing stroke-play from the top-order batsmen. Elton Chigumbura took 3 wickets for the home side, while improving paceman Kyle Jarvis struggled at over four an over.