Real test begins today

The Tigers have so far been spectacular against Pakistan in the home series and have hardly put a foot wrong in the 3-0 ODI whitewash followed by a dominating win in the lone T20I.

But they will now need to be more than just spectacular and flashy if they are to turn another corner and perhaps the biggest in their cricketing history – a maiden Test win against an established Test team; a team which has never been as low (mentally) as it is now.

The closest Bangladesh came to a victory in their last eight meetings against Pakistan was in Multan way back in 2003, only to be denied by a resolute unbeaten 138 from Inzamamul Haq. That one-wicket loss at that historic venue, where Bangladesh also played their first five-day game against Pakistan, is a topic of discussion not just because the Tigers have suddenly become a very good side but for the confidence and the momentum they are carrying into a more difficult and complex format of this game.

The first of the two enduring Tests starts at Khulna today. A maximum of 15 sessions, unless a few fall victims of bad weather, will contain the whole package, which will define if the Tigers can act like grown men against those vastly experienced professionals of Pakistan.

Khulna might not have been a destination for the Tigers if a bustling Chittagong had not decided to vote for a new Mayor like Dhaka on what promises to be an eventful Tuesday. But this laidback southern city can be a prime example of how the Tigers should go about a serious business for the next five days. After all Test is not a piece of literature in a hurry; it's all about patience; the enjoyment of merely staying there in the middle.

Bangladesh Test captain Mushfiqur Rahim perhaps put it in the most appropriate way when he was asked to differentiate between Test and ODI.

“(In Test) I would love to stay in the middle more instead of sitting in the dressing room,” quipped the premier Bangladesh batsman.

The Tigers have made it a habit of throwing new faces into the deep end before every series and this one will not be an exception. Soumya Sarker, who impressed in the ODI series, will be one of the two players to don the Test cap. But the one-day opener will have to bat at number six or seven with Tamim Iqbal expected to open the innings alongside Imrul Kayes. Rubel Hossain however is set to get a new new-ball partner in a gangling Mohammad Shahid.

The team will comprise six batsmen, one all-rounder in Shakib Al Hasan and four bowlers – a leg spinner and a surprise off-spinner Shuvagata Hom ahead of an impressive left-arm spinner Taijul Islam. Taijul can however, be in the side if he is chosen ahead of Jubair.

Whether Bangladesh are capable of taking 20 Pakistan wickets on a pitch that has not changed a bit (a hard and bald surface that is likely to hold firm even on the fifth day) remains the key question.

Tigers' coach Chandika Hathurusingha's answer won't help much: “I can tell you after the game.”  Chandika, who is increasingly becoming dominating with the success of the Tigers, however said that the first session today will be very crucial for his side.

The first morning of a Test match is always crucial as it actually sets the trend. But whoever wins the first session, it's the team that wins most of the sessions that will come out triumphant.