After a tough first innings where Bangladesh were dismissed for just 191 runs, they managed to restrict Zimbabwe to 273 runs in the second innings. On the second day of the Sylhet Test, Bangladesh began their chase, finishing the day with 57 runs for the loss of 1 wicket. Despite being 25 runs behind, the match remains well-balanced, with both teams having a strong chance of winning.

Bangladesh need a solid batting performance in the second innings to stay in the game, and that was the message from all-rounder Mehidy Hasan Miraz, who spoke to the press after the day's play. He expressed confidence in the batters, setting a target of 350-400 runs to secure a good position for Bangladesh.

“We have to cross the lead first and make sure all the batters take responsibility. If we can bat properly and reach 350-400 runs, it will be a good total for us,” said Miraz during the press conference. “In Test cricket, setting a target of 300 runs is tough, but we need to take on that responsibility and bat accordingly.”

Miraz also shared his trust in the Bangladesh batters, recalling their victory over the West Indies despite a low total. “Do you remember the match we won in the West Indies? We were all out for 174, but we bowled them out for 145 and took the lead. We learned a lot from that match, and it has given us confidence. Now that we are playing at home, we can perform even better. We have experienced batters who have played a lot of Tests. We have faith in them, and if they form two solid partnerships, we can post a big score.”

Reflecting on Zimbabwe's batting performance, Miraz acknowledged that the visitors had exceeded expectations with their score. “Looking at the game, Zimbabwe did well to get to 67 without losing a wicket. Today, we bowled much better than yesterday. Maybe they got 30-40 extra runs towards the end, but I don’t think this is a pressure point for us. If we bat well and take responsibility, it will work out in our favor. That’s the beauty of Test cricket – at one point they were ahead, now we are. The team that performs best will win in the end.”

Discussing the opening batting partnership, Miraz emphasized the importance of patience. “With the new ball, we might lose one or two wickets. Focus is key, and partnerships are crucial. Zimbabwe batted well at the start with good shot selection. Our bowlers created pressure, and as a result, we were able to pick up wickets by limiting their runs.”

As for Zimbabwe’s extra runs towards the end of their innings, Miraz pointed out that the difference in batting styles had played a role. “The way their batters played, especially Muzarabani, was different. He took some chances, and a couple of balls edged for boundaries. In this kind of wicket, it’s not just about the total – it’s about how many runs we can score to give our bowlers enough to work with.”

Miraz concluded by stressing the importance of setting a good total for the bowlers. “We have three more days of play, and our batters need to focus on getting as many runs as possible so the bowlers can do their job with confidence. The more runs we score, the more relaxed and effective our bowlers will be.”