Anticipating challenging batting conditions at Jamaica's Sabina Park, Bangladesh are eager for a swift turnaround in the second Test against the West Indies, commencing on Saturday. After suffering a 201-run defeat in the first Test in Antigua, the visitors are focused on enhancing their batting performance, particularly at the top of the order.
In the last two Tests at this venue, Pakistan's Shaheen Shah Afridi claimed 18 wickets, with the West Indies' fast bowlers not far behind during the 2021 series.
Bangladesh's top-order batsmen, such as Mahmudul Hasan Joy and Zakir Hasan, face another stern test of pace, having struggled for runs in recent Test series. While changes are anticipated, it is crucial for the top order to negotiate the new ball effectively.
As seen in Antigua, spending time at the crease allowed batsmen to capitalise later in the innings and amass significant runs.
Stand-in skipper Mehedi Hasan Miraz emphasised the importance of rectifying mistakes. Some batsmen were following the ball's movement, resulting in thick outside edges. Miraz himself struggled with short deliveries, finding it difficult to duck under bouncers; however, he managed the short-pitched bowling better in the second innings, scoring 45.
Since the conditions and pitch will be new in Jamaica, they will be considered before finalising the eleven. The team hasn't performed well as a batting unit.
The middle order showed improvement after Mominul Haque absorbed much of the new-ball pressure. Miraz noted that substantial 100-run partnerships are needed to post competitive scores and bounce back in the two-match series.
The team lacked significant partnerships, with most being around 30-40 runs. If those had reached 100, the game in Antigua would have been different. Correcting mistakes will help the team improve moving forward.
Jaker Ali Anik, who scored a fifty and 31 in the two innings, stressed the importance of spending time at the crease to adapt to pace and bounce. His plan was to stay at the wicket as long as possible and maintain focus, given the considerable seam movement and bounce. If a batsman digs in and faces a lot of deliveries, there's a better chance of adapting to the conditions. He hopes for a substantial score from the top order to support the middle and lower-middle order against the Windies' pace attack.
