Bangladesh chases history in Ross Taylor’s farewell Test

A win or a draw in the second Test will make Mominul Haque’s team to become the first Bangladesh team to win a Test series in New Zealand.

Earlier this week, Bangladesh won a Test match for the first time in Australasia.

Bangladesh will be chasing a momentous series victory against New Zealand while its smarting host is determined to give Ross Taylor a fitting farewell in Test cricket in the second and final match which starts on Sunday in Christchurch.

Ninth ranked Bangladesh pulled off one of the biggest upsets in Test cricket when it beat world champion New Zealand by eight wickets in the series opener in Mount Maunganui. A draw will be enough for Mominul Haque’s team to become the first Bangladesh side to win a Test series in New Zealand and coach Russell Domingo knows what it could potentially mean for the team.

“They will try and do what no other Bangladesh has done before and that is winning a series in New Zealand,” the South African told reporters on Saturday.

“They’re very driven to try and achieve something really special that can inspire another generation of Bangladeshi cricketers.”

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Bangladesh has been competitive in 50-overs cricket but struggled for success in the long format, often due to a lack of quality fast bowlers. A series victory in New Zealand could potentially fix that, said Domingo.

“A big result here will do wonders for Test match cricket in Bangladesh, it will do wonders for fast bowlers in Bangladesh,” he said.

“If some of our fast bowlers can put in another fantastic display we can develop a new generation of fast bowlers in Test cricket.”

Bangladesh will be without opener Mahmudul Hasan, who has been ruled out with a finger injury. New Zealand stalwart Taylor will quit the format after playing his 112th Test and captain Tom Latham said his team would do everything to try and give the batter a winning farewell.

“He’s been a great servant for New Zealand cricket and for us, we’d obviously love to end his Test career on a high...” Latham, leading the side in absence of injured Kane Williamson, told reporters.

“It’s going to be weird not having him at first slip or having him be around the team. I’m sure he’ll be looking to play the game right and try to play our brand of cricket this week, then hopefully we can celebrate a nice Test win and a great career as well.”