Bangladesh vs. Zimbabwe 2nd Test: Date, Live Stream, TV Info and Preview

Bangladesh lead the three-match Test series against Zimbabwe 1-0 as the two sides head into the second match.

Venue: Sheikh Abu Naser Stadium, Khulna

Date: Monday 3 Nov. to Friday 7 November

Start Time: 3:30 a.m GMT  (9:30 a.m local)

Live On: GTV (Bangladesh), SuperSport (Zimbabwe and sub-Saharan Africa), Star Cricket (India), Geo Super (Pakistan), Willow TV (USA).

Weather: AccuWeather.com has a good forecast for the duration of the Test. As it stands, there is no rain forecast and all five days are predicted to be sunny and warm with temperatures of up to 31 degrees Celsius. 

Overview

After the first Test finished inside three days, Zimbabwe will be looking for a strong response when they take on Bangladesh in the second Test. It wasn't all doom and gloom for Zimbabwe, though, as their seamers very nearly pulled off a great win. In the fourth and final innings, the Zimbabwe seamers pushed and prodded Bangladesh and the hosts, somehow, managed to get out of a sticky situation.

Both sides were badly let down by their batsmen, with not a single player recording a century and Bangladesh will rely heavily on their spinners to once again bamboozle the visitors.

Zimbabwe captain Brendan Taylor was quoted by ESPN Cricinfo as saying reverse swing will be a key part of the visitors' strategy:

"

They do have the skill to reverse the ball. It's an abrasive surface and the ball will get scuffed up. They have done it in Test matches at home where the pitches have been less rough. I have no doubt they can do it here. I don't think there is going to be that kind of bounce, but I think our bowlers have the skill and control to contain and take wickets.

"

While Zimbabwe's seamers might be able to do the damage when it's needed, first and foremost they need work on their batting. Against Bangladesh's spin in the first Test, they looked completely out of their depth. Khulna is likely to turn far more than the pitch in Dhaka and Zimbabwe's batsmen will have to adjust pretty quickly.

They have tried to better this by training with a piece of net on the pitch to add some unpredictability to the wicket, but playing spin is not a skill that can be taught inside a few days. Therefore, Bangladesh still hold the advantage and Zimbabwe's batsmen will have to be very patient.

There could be a few changes to the Bangladesh team. Anamul Haque has been added to the squad, while Al-Amin Hossain will miss the second and third Test due to university exams. Zimbabwe, meanwhile, are likely to stick with their tried and tested and hope they apply themselves better.

Key players

Bangladesh

Mushfiqur Rahim was, as ever, impressive against Zimbabwe. He failed to convert a good start, though, and Bangladesh will need his experience to show in the second Test.

Zimbabwe 

Sikandar Raza was the only Zimbabwe batsman to manage a half-century in the first Test and he, along with captain Brendan Taylor, will need to put in the hard yards with the bat if Zimbabwe are to have any chance.

Squads:

Bangladesh: Tamim Iqbal, Shamsur Rahman, Mominul Haque, Mahmudullah, Shakib Al Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim (c/w), Shuvagata Hom, Taijul Islam, Shahadat Hossain, Jubair Hossain, Rubel Hossain, Shafiul Islam, Marshall Ayub, Anamul Haque

Zimbabwe: Vusi Sibanda, Sikandar Raza, Hamilton Masakadza, Brendan Taylor(c), Elton Chigumbura, Craig Ervine, Regis Chakabva(w), John Nyumbu, Tinashe Panyangara, Tendai Chatara, Tafadzwa Kamungozi, Malcolm Waller, Richmond Mutumbami, Natsai Mushangwe, Wellington Masakadza, Shingirai Masakadza, Brian Chari