Test Cricket Prediction and Discussion Thread [self - mod]

[Juggy777]

Tamim Iqbal should have been included in the squad as the opener. BCB has added two inexperienced openers to the squad who have not played very well in international matches so far. Moreover, Shakib has not been able to bat well for a long time. However, I am happy that Bangladesh did not lose all the wickets on the first day. I would be happy if they could play 15 overs tomorrow.

The selectors went for Shadman Islam and Saif Hassan as the openers. I don't know why Tamim was not selected. There was only one warmup match and he didn't got much of an opportunity to bat. But I heard that he performed well during the Dhaka Premier Division Cricket League (for Prime Bank). Perhaps the board wanted to give opportunity for some youngsters and may have made the decision thinking that Zimbabwe is going to be a relatively weak opponent. BTW, when was the last test victory for Zimbabwe against a full member? That was in 2018?

@Swordsoffreedom indeed a puzzling omission from the Bangladesh selectors, and if Bangladesh end up losing this game then they’ll be forced to justify why they omitted him. Furthermore I feel Zimbabwe are in a very strong position now, and if they bat well then they can cause an upset here.

[1714727533]

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[Sithara007]

@Swordsoffreedom indeed a puzzling omission from the Bangladesh selectors, and if Bangladesh end up losing this game then they’ll be forced to justify why they omitted him. Furthermore I feel Zimbabwe are in a very strong position now, and if they bat well then they can cause an upset here.

Tamim Iqbal was not dropped due to poor performance. Saif Hassan was selected to open because Tamim was not available due to knee injury. It is surprising to see so many posts blaming the Bangladesh selection policy, when the truth is that Tamim got injured during the Dhaka Premier League, and was included in the touring squad before he could recover fully. Do you guys think that the selectors should have gone for Tamim despite the risk of worsening his injury issue? IMO, he is more in need for the next series (against England?).

[Swordsoffreedom]

Bangladesh lost 8 wickets for 270 runs. Mahmudullah and Taskin Ahmed have a remarkable partnership of 134 runs. They are still at the crease. Mahmudullah has scored a century and Taskin is unbeaten on his career-best 52. Bangladesh scored 407 runs. I never thought they would be able to score more than 400.

[Vishnu.Reang]

Bangladesh lost 8 wickets for 270 runs. Mahmudullah and Taskin Ahmed have a remarkable partnership of 134 runs. They are still at the crease. Mahmudullah has scored a century and Taskin is unbeaten on his career-best 52. Bangladesh scored 407 runs. I never thought they would be able to score more than 400.

Form a score of 132/6, they managed to get to 416/8. The 9th wicket partnership between Taskin Ahmed and Mahmudullah has added 146 runs till now. I would primarily blame poor captaincy from Zimbabwe. After they got the 6th wicket, rather than keeping the pressure Brendan Taylor just released it by bringing in the spinners. Else they would have got Bangladesh all out for less than 200. Now it looks as if Bangladesh may manage a total of above 500. Really poor performance from the Zimbabwe bowlers, after getting such a great start.

[JSRAW]

Umm what is happening in Ban vs Zim match? Jeez 160 + runs partnership for the 9th wicket, i suppose they are heading towards world record (195 runs)?. Don't know if Zimbabwe bowling bad or Bangladeshi batting excellent, it seems to me that pitch became road for the batters. Bongs are happy folks atm.  

[Vishnu.Reang]

Umm what is happening in Ban vs Zim match? Jeez 160 + runs partnership for the 9th wicket, i suppose they are heading towards world record (195 runs)?. Don't know if Zimbabwe bowling bad or Bangladeshi batting excellent, it seems to me that pitch became road for the batters. Bongs are happy folks atm.  

This is where experience matters. Any of the experienced sides would strive to get wickets, as they know that a single wicket would change the state of the match. But after Liton Das got his half century yesterday, the Zimbabwe bowlers looked as if they are no longer interested in the game. They were bowling as if they had to complete some formality. I really don't know why ICC keep the full member status for such teams. There are a lot more deserving teams out there. The $12 million fund that ICC pours in to Zimbabwe every year could be better spent elsewhere.

[pakhitheboss]

Does anyone following BANvsZIM test match? Bangladesh lost their first three wickets in the first session. A perfect start for Zimbabwe, let's see if Bangladesh recover after their batting collapse in the first session. Bangladesh three young star gone and as usual now the responsibility to their senior cricketers.

Bangladesh really looking pathetic out there. I am watching live on Fancode (since none of the TV channels are covering this match here in India). I was expecting a lot from Bangladesh, because Shakib Al Hasan is playing for them. But he got out for just 3 runs. Blessing Muzarabani was exceptional, as usual. But the other Zimbabwe players also gave him a lot of support, especially Victor Nyauchi and Richard Ngarava. It is always nice to see the young inexperienced Zimbabwe side preforming so well.

140/6 is Bangladesh playing test cricket or ODI. This is pathetic batting from Bangladesh if I compare them with Zimbabwe. Looking at the score it seems Bangladesh underestimated Zimbabwe bowling except for the captain all of them have scored below 20. Only one single bowler from, Muzarabani took most of the wickets. As it is Day1, Bangladesh still have time to recover.

From 140/6 to 461/9 is an incredible journey.

I had lost hope but hope came with Liton Das and Mahmudullah not to forget Taskin too. This is what experience look like I guess. Day two was incredible for the Bangladesh team and I think they will declare the innings tomorrow after Mahmudullah scores 150/200 or end of today's session. I feel Zimbabwe has already lost hope with this innings and the match too.

[bryant.coleman]

I had lost hope but hope came with Liton Das and Mahmudullah not to forget Taskin too. This is what experience look like I guess. Day two was incredible for the Bangladesh team and I think they will declare the innings tomorrow after Mahmudullah scores 150/200 or end of today's session. I feel Zimbabwe has already lost hope with this innings and the match too.

All out for 468. Mahmudullah unbeaten on 150. Blessing Muzarabani got his 4th wicket, but it was Richard Ngarava who broke the 9th wicket partnership between Mahmudullah and Taskin Ahmed. It was a great opportunity for Zimbabwe to get a test victory over one of the first division teams, but they wasted it. IMO, they need to find someone other than Brendan Taylor to captain the side. He is not regularly playing for Zimbabwe, and has no idea what his players are capable of. Anyway, let's see how they perform with the bat now.

[Vishnu.Reang]

A phenomenal partnership between Mahmudullah and Taskin Ahmed, this is highest test run partnership for Bangladesh. This is an unbelievable biggest comeback of Bangladesh, that surprised me a lot. Zimbabwe's weakness is that they can't close well. Additionally, the chances of Zimbabwe winning a test match were shattered.

More then the performance by Bangladesh lower order and tail, it can be described as complete meltdown from the Zimbabwe bowlers. The 7th wicket partnership was the trigger and when Mahmudullah and Taskin Ahmed started piling up the runs for the 9th wicket partnership, it looked as if the Zimbabwe bowlers have resigned to their fate. They had Bangladesh at 132/6. It just baffles me how they allowed their opponents to score another 336 runs. The two openers (Milton Shumba and Takudzwanashe Kaitano) have started well... but I don't think that they'll be able to avoid follow on.

[LittleBitFunny]

A phenomenal partnership between Mahmudullah and Taskin Ahmed, this is highest test run partnership for Bangladesh. This is an unbelievable biggest comeback of Bangladesh, that surprised me a lot. Zimbabwe's weakness is that they can't close well. Additionally, the chances of Zimbabwe winning a test match were shattered.

More then the performance by Bangladesh lower order and tail, it can be described as complete meltdown from the Zimbabwe bowlers. The 7th wicket partnership was the trigger and when Mahmudullah and Taskin Ahmed started piling up the runs for the 9th wicket partnership, it looked as if the Zimbabwe bowlers have resigned to their fate. They had Bangladesh at 132/6. It just baffles me how they allowed their opponents to score another 336 runs. The two openers (Milton Shumba and Takudzwanashe Kaitano) have started well... but I don't think that they'll be able to avoid follow on.

For me it was completely unexpected. Because if Bangladesh team lost the first 6 wickets then I have seen very few matches to collect more than 100 runs. The performances of Taskin and Mahmudullah surprised me. Taskin's career-best collection was in today's match. But we expected good innings from Miraj. Because, he has done well enough in the previous series

[Mahdirakib]

For me it was completely unexpected. Because if Bangladesh team lost the first 6 wickets then I have seen very few matches to collect more than 100 runs. The performances of Taskin and Mahmudullah surprised me. Taskin's career-best collection was in today's match. But we expected good innings from Miraj. Because, he has done well enough in the previous series

Zimbabwe showing unexpected batting performance too. They have scored 114 runs by losing one wicket only. Maybe the pitch just turned as good for batsman. I thought Bangladeshi bowler will take the wickets quickly and Zimbabwe will go through follow-on. Based on current condition, it's not going to be easy. We will see a draw if nothing change there on day 3. BTW, Muzarabani and Taskin engaged in a conflict today while Taskin was batting.

[Swordsoffreedom]

Bangladesh lost 8 wickets for 270 runs. Mahmudullah and Taskin Ahmed have a remarkable partnership of 134 runs. They are still at the crease. Mahmudullah has scored a century and Taskin is unbeaten on his career-best 52. Bangladesh scored 407 runs. I never thought they would be able to score more than 400.

Form a score of 132/6, they managed to get to 416/8. The 9th wicket partnership between Taskin Ahmed and Mahmudullah has added 146 runs till now. I would primarily blame poor captaincy from Zimbabwe. After they got the 6th wicket, rather than keeping the pressure Brendan Taylor just released it by bringing in the spinners. Else they would have got Bangladesh all out for less than 200. Now it looks as if Bangladesh may manage a total of above 500. Really poor performance from the Zimbabwe bowlers, after getting such a great start.

Bangladesh managed to score 468 runs, and this is a huge collection. Although Zimbabwe's opener has performed well. Zimbabwe have scored 114 runs for the loss of just one wicket. But I don't think Zimbabwe will be able to collect more than 310 runs. They will lose a few wickets in the first session of the next day.

[Sithara007]

Zimbabwe showing unexpected batting performance too. They have scored 114 runs by losing one wicket only. Maybe the pitch just turned as good for batsman. I thought Bangladeshi bowler will take the wickets quickly and Zimbabwe will go through follow-on. Based on current condition, it's not going to be easy. We will see a draw if nothing change there on day 3. BTW, Muzarabani and Taskin engaged in a conflict today while Taskin was batting.

I would be a bit more cautious while talking about the batting performance by Zimbabwe, because none of their batsmen have got to a 50 yet. But there will be hope for them, as long as Brendan Taylor is out there. His wicket is going to be very crucial. The pitch seems to be very flat, with minimal support for the pace bowlers. Unless there is some miracle from the Zimbabwe bowlers in the third innings, the chances of them winning this match is minimal. But the first target for them is to avoid the follow on. And for that they still need another 155 runs.

[Swordsoffreedom]

Zimbabwe showing unexpected batting performance too. They have scored 114 runs by losing one wicket only. Maybe the pitch just turned as good for batsman. I thought Bangladeshi bowler will take the wickets quickly and Zimbabwe will go through follow-on. Based on current condition, it's not going to be easy. We will see a draw if nothing change there on day 3. BTW, Muzarabani and Taskin engaged in a conflict today while Taskin was batting.

I would be a bit more cautious while talking about the batting performance by Zimbabwe, because none of their batsmen have got to a 50 yet. But there will be hope for them, as long as Brendan Taylor is out there. His wicket is going to be very crucial. The pitch seems to be very flat, with minimal support for the pace bowlers. Unless there is some miracle from the Zimbabwe bowlers in the third innings, the chances of them winning this match is minimal. But the first target for them is to avoid the follow on. And for that they still need another 155 runs.

It is difficult to predict against both Bangladesh and Zimbabwe. You will not see any continuity in their performance. Even if they play well in one innings, no one can guarantee that they will be able to collect a good one in the next innings. In the first innings, Bangladesh's top order batsmen have completely failed to contribute to the team's collection, I do not expect anything good from them in the second innings. But Shakib and Miraj can play well.

[bryant.coleman]

It is difficult to predict against both Bangladesh and Zimbabwe. You will not see any continuity in their performance. Even if they play well in one innings, no one can guarantee that they will be able to collect a good one in the next innings. In the first innings, Bangladesh's top order batsmen have completely failed to contribute to the team's collection, I do not expect anything good from them in the second innings. But Shakib and Miraj can play well.

Without Shakib al Hasan, Bangladesh is a big zero. During this test match also, it was clear. Shakib got out for a duck and the entire top order and middle order collapsed. The absence of Tamim Iqbal due to knee injury made things worse. Fortunately for Bangladesh, Liton Das and the other lower order batsmen managed to rescue them. And for Zimbabwe, they don't have any such player who can single handedly win test matches. Brendan Taylor used to be one, during his younger days. But he seems to be out of form now.

[7788bitcoin]

I was not expecting Bangladesh to post 468 runs after they lost 8 wickets for 270 runs, may be the pitch changed drastically after that as Zimbabwe also started strongly and Brendan Taylor is playing an anchor role and looks like he will be scoring a huge century as he is just 20 short of his century and he is in good flow and he is batting as if he owns the ground.

[Iranus]

I was not expecting Bangladesh to post 468 runs after they lost 8 wickets for 270 runs, may be the pitch changed drastically after that as Zimbabwe also started strongly and Brendan Taylor is playing an anchor role and looks like he will be scoring a huge century as he is just 20 short of his century and he is in good flow and he is batting as if he owns the ground.

Although Bangladesh's top order batsmen have failed miserably, Zimbabwe's top order batsmen are performing exceptionally well. Zimbabwe scored 219 runs for the loss of only 2 wickets. Really deserves praise. Although Brendan Taylor was out, he was able to add 81 runs to Zimbabwe's scoreboard. The match will be a draw.

[LittleBitFunny]

What a brilliant bowling by Shakib Al Hasan! The idea was that the pitch is helpful for the pace bowlers. But Shakib Al Hasan has proved all the ideas wrong. Zimbabwe lost 5 wickets, of which Shakib took 3 wickets and Mehedi Miraz took 1 wicket. Zimbabwe lost the third wicket by 225 runs and they lost 5 wickets in 229 runs. If Bangladeshi bowlers can get Takudzwanashe Kaitano's wickets quickly, then I think Zimbabwe will lose all their wickets before 300.

[pakhitheboss]

I was not expecting Bangladesh to post 468 runs after they lost 8 wickets for 270 runs, may be the pitch changed drastically after that as Zimbabwe also started strongly and Brendan Taylor is playing an anchor role and looks like he will be scoring a huge century as he is just 20 short of his century and he is in good flow and he is batting as if he owns the ground.

Although Bangladesh's top order batsmen have failed miserably, Zimbabwe's top order batsmen are performing exceptionally well. Zimbabwe scored 219 runs for the loss of only 2 wickets. Really deserves praise. Although Brendan Taylor was out, he was able to add 81 runs to Zimbabwe's scoreboard. The match will be a draw.

I seriously think Zimbabwe needs to play more matches, they lack a lot of experience. Their top order is far better than Bangladesh. I was not expecting a much from them but they did give a good fight.

[onecall123]

I was not expecting Bangladesh to post 468 runs after they lost 8 wickets for 270 runs, may be the pitch changed drastically after that as Zimbabwe also started strongly and Brendan Taylor is playing an anchor role and looks like he will be scoring a huge century as he is just 20 short of his century and he is in good flow and he is batting as if he owns the ground.

Although Bangladesh's top order batsmen have failed miserably, Zimbabwe's top order batsmen are performing exceptionally well. Zimbabwe scored 219 runs for the loss of only 2 wickets. Really deserves praise. Although Brendan Taylor was out, he was able to add 81 runs to Zimbabwe's scoreboard. The match will be a draw.

I seriously think Zimbabwe needs to play more matches, they lack a lot of experience. Their top order is far better than Bangladesh. I was not expecting a much from them but they did give a good fight.

Zimbabwe shows his class. Zimbabwe produced with a decent start but things turn wrong as they lose 7 quick wickets for just 51 runs. Bangladeshi bowlers Mehedi Miraz and Shakib Al Hasan sharing respectively 5 and 4 wickets each. Brilliant bowling display by Bangladesh lead a massive comeback and walking through a comfortable win as what I see at this stage.