Bangladesh start practice in overcast Bloemfontein

Bangladesh team started their practice at 9:30 local time at Mangaung Oval under overcast condition. The Tigers started with a warm-up session by playing football. Opener Tamim Iqbal did not take part in the session. The cricketers then took part in some catching drills under the supervision of fielding and assistant coach Richard Halsall. The Tigers then underwent some ground fielding drills divided into groups under Halsall, pace bowling coach Courtney Walsh and spin consultant Sunil Joshi. Wicketkeeper-batsman Liton Kumar Das was seen training with Halsall. Head coach Chandika Hathurusingha, in the meantime, was giving long catches to a few players like Test captain Mushfiqur Rahim and batsman Mominul Haque .

Mustafizur Rahman speaks ahead of second and final Test at Mangaung Oval, Bloemfontein. pic.twitter.com/pTORIUATsi

— Bangladesh Cricket (@BCBtigers) October 4, 2017

Then rain intervened as the players had to leave the ground. The players went indoors for net sessions. Mominul was the first batsman to start the session. Hathurusingha was throwing balls to him. Later, the coach worked with opener Imrul Kayes. Middle-order batsman Sabbir Rahman was batting in front of the bowling machine and while Mushfiq was batting against left-arm spinner Taijul Islam in the first slot. The pitch will definitely produce more pace and bounce, compared to the Senwes Park track in Potchefstroom.

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Also read: Tamim ruled out of second South Africa Test, uncertain for ODIs

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Proteas captain Faf du Plessis was frustrated with the first Test pitch and his team will be happy after getting a more traditional South Africa pitch. Nico Pretorius, the curator of Manguang Oval also confirmed that the pitch will offer more help to the bowlers in the first two days. As it rained for the first time this season after nine long months, the curator said it would take two more months to prepare the wicket as a full green top. But still, the wicket will produce enough pace and bounce to test the visiting Bangladesh, opined Pretorius. Bangladesh pacer Mustafizur Rahman said the wicket seems more pace-bowling friendly, compared to the last one. Every player is concentrating on performing well in the Bloemfontein Test, informed Mustafizur. “I don’t consider the wicket that much. I have not seen the wicket that much yet. If I play, my work is to ensure good bowling. If I bowl well then my team will be benefitted. So I will try to bowl well,” Mustafiz said after the practice session Wednesday.

Cold and raining in Bloemfontein = indoor session for the squad #SAvBAN #SunfoilTest pic.twitter.com/iooOAMMaxc

— Cricket South Africa (@OfficialCSA) October 4, 2017

Mustafizur was the best bowler for Bangladesh in the first Test. He bowled 27 overs in the first innings and took one wicket while the left-arm seamer sent down 11 overs in the second, picking up two. While the other bowlers were struggling with the leather, Mustafizur bowled with variation and was impressive, compared to the other two pacers in the form of Taskin Ahmed and Shafiul Islam. “The wicket was slow in the last match. I tried to bowl with my strength, like changing ends, slowers etc. I will try to give my best effort here too and will try to help my team,” added Mustafizur. The Tigers were condemned to a heavy defeat in the first Test but Mustafizur stated that the players are confident of performing better in the next Test. Meanwhile, South Afirca pacer Duanne Olivier said Bangladesh have plenty of batsmen to challenge the Proteas’ bowling, even if Tamim is highly likely to miss the second Test due to injury. “Bangladesh are a good side. They have improved a lot in the last few years. They have other good batsmen in their line-up, even if Tamim would miss the next match. So we will not change our plans and are concentrating on winning the second Test,” informed Olivier.