Bangladesh Eye Series Level in 2nd Test

Harare: Chastened by a heavy defeat that has once again highlighted their lack of progress, Bangladesh begin the second and final Test against Zimbabwe on Thursday looking to prove they can adapt to foreign conditions and match their fellow Test strugglers.

The Asian side came into the series as hot favourites after improved performances in Sri Lanka, only to be bowled out for 134 and 147 as they lost the first Test to Zimbabwe by 335 runs at Harare Sports Club.

With the second Test being played on the same ground another green-tinged pitch is expected, and Bangladesh will need to show far greater durability against Zimbabwe's talented but inexperienced pace attack if they are to come away from the series with some dignity.

The Tigers will also need to find a way to dismiss Brendan Taylor cheaply, after he became just the third Zimbabwean to score back-to-back centuries in a Test match.

Taylor was dropped once on his way to 171 in the first innings, but did not offer a chance as he breezed to 102 not out in the second.

The tourists have been hit with fresh injury worries, with fast bowlers Rubel Hossain and Shahadat Hossain both returning home to be replaced by seamer Shafiul Islam and uncapped all-rounder Ziaur Rahman.

However opening batsman Tamim Iqbal could return from a broken thumb, while Shakib Al Hasan will be back to full bowling fitness, giving Bangladesh's selectors the option to pick an extra seamer.

Zimbabwe, on the other hand, could field the same side that turned out in the first Test and will be buoyed by the opportunity to win a series by more than one match for just the second time in their history.

Teams from

Zimbabwe: Brendan Taylor (captain & wk), Tendai Chatara, Elton Chigumbura, Michael Chinouya, Graeme Cremer, Kyle Jarvis, Timycen Maruma, Hamilton Masakadza, Shingi Masakadza, Keegan Meth, Natsai M'shangwe, Tinotenda Mutombodzi, Richmond Mutumbami (wk), Ray Price, Vusi Sibanda, Sikandar Raza, Prosper Utseya, Brian Vitori, Malcolm Waller, Sean Williams

Bangladesh: Mushfiqur Rahim (captain & wk), Enamul Haque jnr, Jahurul Islam, Mahmudullah, Mohammad Ashraful, Mominul Haque, Nasir Hossain, Robiul Islam, Rubel Hossain, Sajidul Islam, Shafiul Islam, Shahadat Hossain, Shahriar Nafees, Shakib Al Hasan, Sohag Gazi, Tamim Iqbal, Ziaur Rahman

Match facts
April 25-29, 2013
Start time 1000 local (0800 GMT)