BD vs NZ 2nd test at Mirpur December 6-10 2023 - Page 2

MATCH DELAYED BY RAIN2nd Test, Mirpur, December 06 - 10, 2023, New Zealand tour of Bangladesh

BAN

172

NZ

(12.4 ov) 55/5

Day 2 - Session 1: New Zealand trail by 117 runs.

CRR: 4.34

• Last 10 ov (RR): 44/5 (4.40)

A A Musabbir: "Weather forecast says no play today but rest 3 days are clear. Two days is enough to get a result unless this pitch is improving for batting. But still I hope we have some play today!" -- Still pretty overcast and seems like the rain is falling too. Fingers crossed, though, that the action can resume because it has been a thrilling contest so far.

There has been no action so far today in Mirpur. A few hours ago, though, in another part of the world, England registered a six-wicket win over the West Indies, clawing their way back into the three-match ODI series and forcing a decider. Jump into Andrew Miller's report to recount all that went down under the Antigua floodlights.

A snippet from Isam, capturing the weather right now in Mirpur and what Bangladesh's strategy could be during the current World Test Championship cycle, especially at home: "A little on this December rain. Bangladesh experiences this rain quite frequently in this time of the year, which is locally considered the rain that brings about our (short) winter. The temperature is likely to fall in the coming weeks from this point on.

It gives us a bit of time to reflect on happened yesterday. The 15 wickets that fell is the most on a first day of a Test match in Bangladesh. It makes for compelling viewing. Maybe it helps Bangladesh become very competitive at home. At times even dominating. But we have seen in the recent past that when teams come to Bangladesh prepared, they can trump the home side even at the Shere Bangla National Stadium. So not much merit in this type of pitch, but it is probably looking like Bangladesh's strategy in the World Test Championship."

Ahmed I.: "Don't worry! Even if half of the remaining four days are lost, we will still achieve a result. Mirpur has a reputation for providing results. One of the few positive aspects, probably." -- 15 wickets fell yesterday, and if they fall at that rate moving forward, we only need a day and a half of cricket...What's better than a gloomy Thursday morning (full of rain and curtailed cricket)? Some mathematical calculations, of course!

Mustafa Moudi: "Since action is on halt, I have a suggestion for test cricket - Since we dont see many scores above 400 nowadays in Test, why not change the Follow On cap from 200 Runs to 50 Percent of the First Innings Score ?? Like if Bangladesh bowl out NZ under 86, they can still enforce the follow on and save the time !!" -- Think time is not going to be an issue in this Test...

Umair: "If there is no game today, will it be early start tomorrow?" -- Absolutely, will start 30 minutes early on each of the next three days.

Gora: "It's 3am on the US east coast. That lunch menu is making me go to the kitchen and check the fridge for an untimely meal. I'm sure there is bhat (rice), daal (lentils), and murgi (chicken) and perhaps shak (veggie greens). "

More drizzle, fizzle, brizzle. Sadly we're veering towards a call off in Mirpur. Isam has his fingers crossed that he'll be spared of more rain reporting. Probably a 40-minute wade home through Dhaka traffic if it's called off soon. Little hopes of play anway.