Fresh from a stunning nine-wicket victory in Darwin the Bangladesh Cricket Team is on the brink of history as they prepare to face Australia in the second and final Test in Mackay.
A victory in this series decider would not only seal an unprecedented 2-0 sweep on Australian soil but also propel the Tigers to third place in the World Test Championship (WTC) standings.
To achieve this Bangladesh must replicate the discipline and killer instinct displayed in the first Test. Fast bowler Hasan Mahmud the Player of the Match in Darwin with equaled a national record with a brilliant nine-wicket match haul also dismantling Australia's top order. Mahmud’s heroics, combined with Tanzid Hasan’s maiden Test century and astute leadership from captain Najmul Hossain Shanto orchestrated the historic upset.
Desperate to avoid an embarrassing home series defeat Team Australia has made a crucial top-order change with dropping Jake Weatherald for Matt Renshaw. While Josh Hazlewood and Cameron Green showed individual brilliance in Darwin also the hosts will need a much stronger collective effort to counter the confident visitors.
For Bangladesh minor injury scares involving Tanzid Hasan (stiff neck) and veteran Mushfiqur Rahim (struck on the finger during practice) have been reported though both are expected to be available. Additionally, the return of fit-again pacer Shoriful Islam presents the team management with a welcome selection dilemma.
As Mackay makes its Test cricket debut the pitch is expected to be highly favorable for batters though a strong coastal breeze could provide some assistance to the fast bowlers. With momentum on their side Bangladesh now stands just one win away from their greatest overseas triumph.
Probable Playing XI:
Australia: 1 Travis Head, 2 Matt Renshaw, 3 Marnus Labuschagne, 4 Steven Smith, 5 Cameron Green, 6 Alex Carey (wk), 7 Beau Webster, 8 Pat Cummins (capt), 9 Mitchell Starc, 10 Nathan Lyon, 11 Josh Hazlewood
Bangladesh: 1 Tanzid Hasan, 2 Shadman Islam, 3 Mominul Haque, 4 Najmul Hossain Shanto (capt), 5 Mushfiqur Rahim, 6 Litton Das (wk), 7 Mehidy Hasan Miraz, 8 Hasan Mahmud, 9 Taskin Ahmed, 10 Taijul Islam/Shoriful Islam, 11 Ebadot Hossain
