After winning the toss, Zimbabwe captain Craig Ervine decided to bat first in the series-deciding second Test against Bangladesh at the Bir Shrestha Matiur Rahman Stadium in Chattogram today.
Bangladesh made three changes to avoid a humiliating series sweep. Pacer Tanzim Hasan Sakib made his debut and opener Anamul Haque Bijoy returned to the squad for the first time after three years. Along with them, team management also brought back off-spinner Nayeem Hasan.
Nayeem will join Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Taijul Islam to form a three-pronged spin attack, indicating that Bangladesh chose a familiar path of winning the game through spin-carnage.
The hosts suffered a three-wicket defeat in first cricket Test in Sylhet, where they played on a sporting pitch.
Opener Mahmudul Hasan Joy was dropped and pacer Khaled Ahmed was left out as team management wants to bolster spin attack. Another pacer Nahid Hasan was released to play Pakistan Super League (PSL).
A victory in the final test will give Zimbabwe its first series sweep on Bangladesh soil.
Zimbabwe handed a debut to Vincent Masekesa and brought in wicket-keeper Tafadzwa Tsiga, replacing Victor Nyauchu and Nyasha Mayavo.
Line-ups:
Bangladesh: Shadman Islam, Anamul Haque Bijoy, Mominul Haque, Najmul Hossain Shanto(c), Mushfiqur Rahim, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Jaker Ali Anik, Taijul Islam, Hasan Mahmud, Nayeem Hasan, Tanzim Hasan Sakib
Zimbabwe: Brian Bennett, Ben Curran, Nick Welch, Sean Williams, Craig Ervine(c), Wessly Madhevere, Tafadzwa Tsiga, Wellington Masakadza, Richard Ngarava, Vincent Masekesa, Blessing Muzarabani
