Kanpur Test: Bangladesh aim to bounce back amid security concerns

After losing the first match of the two-match series against India, Bangladesh are set to take on the hosts in the second match in Kanpur, aiming to bounce back.

Ahead of this match, a political party called Akhil Bharat Hindu Mahasabha threatened to block the streets to the stadium, calling it a protest against the alleged persecution of Hindus in Bangladesh.

In response, local police have beefed up security around the stadium. The Bangladesh team has been advised not to leave the hotel or stadium without police protocol to ensure their safety.

For the Bangladesh team, it is rare to face this kind of security threat while playing abroad.

In the first match, Ravichandran Ashwin of India scored a hundred and took six wickets in an innings, sealing the match for India.

Bangladesh’s failure in the first match was largely due to their fragile batting display. In the first inning, they tumbled for only 149 runs. The team needed to step up in the second inning, but the batters failed again.

Bangladesh Captain Najmul Hossain Shanto expressed hope that the batters will come up strongly in the second match.

Bangladesh may change their line-up in this match. Taijul Islam may find a place in the playing XI. He can replace a pacer.

Shakib Al Hasan was not fully fit in the first match. He might be sidelined in Kanpur.