Bangladesh vs Zimbabwe Test series: 5 Key players for Bangladesh

Almost everyone had given the Bangladeshi team a slight preference over the Zimbabwean team but very few could have expected such a one-sided result in the recently concluded ODI series between the two teams. The hosts easily managed to clinch the series 3-0 to make it a clean sweep.

The ODI series is set to be followed by a 2-match Test series, the first of which is scheduled to begin on 3rd November at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium. The second match will be played at Sher-E-Bangla National Stadium, Dhaka from 11th November.

Despite the absence of the star-studded duo of Tamim Iqbal and Shakib Al Hasan, this Bangladesh team will be high on confidence given their performance in recently concluded ODI series.

Though the skill-sets required for playing ODIs and Test matches are altogether different, Bangladesh will certainly have an edge over the visiting side given the momentum they have gained by winning the 50-over series.

Here, in this article, we will take a look at 5 key players for Bangladesh who will be crucial for them:

#1 Mushfiqur Rahim

Mushfiqur Rahim is Bangladesh's best batsman

Mushfiqur Rahim is the most experienced player in the Bangladeshi side in terms of Test matches played. He has played 62 matches for the team and amassed 3699 runs which makes him the second highest run-getter for Bangladesh, after Tamim Iqbal.

In the absence of Tamim at the top and Shakib Al Hasan in the middle, the onus will be on the wicketkeeper-batsman to anchor the Bangladeshi inning. He has been in a great form in the last couple of months in the limited overs format and is likely to extend it into red ball cricket.

Mushfiqur Rahim in Tests:

Matches - 62, Runs - 3699, Average - 33.94, Highest Score - 200, 50s - 19, 100s - 5

#2 Mominul Haque

Mominul Haque will look to extend his terrific form at home

Mominul Haque is an impressive left-handed batsman who has had a promising start to his career so far. Having made his Test debut at an early age of 21, he scored 156 runs in his maiden Test series at an impressive average of 52. He, then, went on to become the fastest Bangladeshi batsman to reach 1,000 Test runs.

Mominul has scored 2170 runs in Test cricket so far in 29 matches with an impressive average of 43.40. One interesting aspect of his batting is that he averages far better when he is playing on home grounds.

His batting average of 59.04 at home is far better than his overall average of 43.40. As the series is to be played in Bangladesh, we can expect some big innings from this lad.

Mominul Haque in Tests:

Matches - 29, Runs - 2170, Average - 43.40, Highest Score - 181, 50s - 12, 100s - 6

#3 Mahmudullah

Mahmudullah has been a dependable batsman for the Tigers in recent years

Mahmudullah made his Test debut with a bang as he took 8 wickets, which included a five-wicket haul in the 2nd innings, in his very first match against West Indies.

But as his career progressed, he became less of a bowler and more of a batsman. Today, his role in the team is that of a specialist batsman who can bowl handy off-breaks.

Mahmudullah has been pretty consistent in last few years in white-ball cricket but hasn't quite been able to replicate the same in the longest format of the game. It is also to be noted that in the absence of regular skipper Shakib Al Hasan, he has been appointed as captain of the Bangladeshi side and this will bring to him an added responsibility.

It would be interesting to see whether this extra burden hampers his game or he uses this as an opportunity.

Mahmudullah in Tests:

Matches - 39, Runs - 2084, Average - 29.77, Highest Score - 115, 50s - 15, 100s - 1, Wickets - 40

#4 Mehidy Hasan

Mehidy Hasan is one of the brightest young players in Bangladesh cricket. He had a dream Test debut at the age of just 19 against England picking up a five-wicket haul in his very first inning.

He bettered his performance by taking two more five-wicket hauls in the second Test. He took 19 wickets in two games and was 'Man of the Series' in his debut series. Ever since that sensational start, he has been impressive in all formats of the game.

He is, in particular, very lethal in home conditions. Compared to his overall bowling average of 36.19, he takes a wicket at the expense of just 24.91 runs when he is bowling at home grounds.

The youngster will be leading the spin attack of the team given that Shakib is not there. The Zimbabwean batsmen are going to have a hard time facing his off-spin.

Mehidy Hasan in Tests:

Matches - 14, Runs - 362, Wickets - 58, Bowling Average - 36.19, 5W - 4, 10W -1

#5 Mustafizur Rahman

Mustafizur Rahman made a sensational start to his international career

Mustafizur Rahman has established himself as a world-class bowler in a very short span of time. He has been very impressive in the limited overs format be it ODIs or T20Is.

For a matter of fact, he is the quickest Bangladeshi to reach 50 ODI wickets. Unfortunately, his bowling prowess has not been the same when it comes to red-ball cricket. 26 wickets from 10 matches don't do justice to his talent and capabilities. He is yet to claim his first five-wicket haul in the longest format.

Mustafizur didn't play in the last Test series against West Indies due to injury and Bangladesh missed their front-line bowler. He came back into the team for the limited overs series and helped his team win the ODI and T20I series.

Mustafizur will be hoping to replicate his limited-overs success in Test cricket. In that case, will pose a real threat to the opposition batsmen.