Tigers’ chance to bounce back

Bangladesh will look to bounce back and make a statement when they face South Africa in the series-deciding second Test at St George's Park in Port Elizabeth today.

The match is scheduled to start at 2:00pm [BST].

The Tigers suffered a 220-run thumping in the first Test in Durban, courtesy of a second-innings batting collapse that saw them get bundled out for their second-lowest total in Tests.

Following historic wins this year -- the Test win over New Zealand in their backyard in January and the first ODI series triumph away in South Africa in this tour --  Bangladesh would definitely be desperate to prove that they are better than the 53 all out in their second innings in the first Test.

Bangladesh, however, will have to combat a few extra issues going into the game today. The Tigers' leading paceman Taskin Ahmed has returned to the country after suffering a shoulder injury in the first Test along with young left-arm pacer Shoriful Islam, who could not play the Durban Test due to an injury.

Heavy wind at Port Elizabeth will also play a crucial role in the Test with the cherry expected to move and reverse more than it did in Durban. 

Spin had the Tigers cornered in the Durban Test and they will once again have to make a crucial call while naming the playing eleven for today's game as their call to either play an extra spinner or the usual combination of three pacers and one frontline spinner could impact the outcome heavily.

Bangladesh, nevertheless, will be boosted by the prospect of experienced Tamim Iqbal returning to the side. Tamim, who missed out on the first Test due to an upset stomach, is set to play in today's game, informed Bangladesh Test skipper Mominul Haque yesterday. 

South Africa, who have lost their last two Tests at Port Elizabeth, have their own issues with five of their regular Test players at IPL, but the Proteas will look to repeat what they had done in Durban and seal the series.