Ireland brace for Dhaka's spin challenge

Ireland head coach Heinrich Malan admitted on Monday that his team is well aware of the spin threat present at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Dhaka. Ireland, who are trailing in the series after losing the first Test, are aiming to square the series with a win in the second and final Test that's scheduled to begin on November 19.

SBNS, famously known for producing low and slow wickets to challenge the visitors, is expected to have some grass on it this time. A top official of the team management told this website that they won't be surprised to see three pacers in the second Test as they are expecting some pace and bounce on the surface.

However, Malan still believes that the hosts will play to their strengths to try and put Ireland under pressure on a spin-friendly surface. "History shows us that it spins here. We'll adapt from a playing-XI perspective and hopefully put a combination out there that competes for five days," said Malan ahead of the second Test.

"It's a nice opportunity for us to come back here and we've got a fair understanding of the conditions," he said. "The more we play, the more people will work stuff out, and the quicker we'll get better."

Ireland suffered an innings defeat in the series opener but showed a more positive approach with the bat late in the match as their batters opted a more attacking approach in their second innings. Malan said the attacking approach was not a fixed plan and instead the team was adapting to the game scenario.

"We're trying to find that balance," Malan said. "It's really making sure we take the understanding of the situation of the game, summing up the conditions well, and then find that tempo we want to be consistent around in Test cricket."

Malan lauded Bangladesh batter Mushfiqur Rahim as the senior campaigner prepares to become the first player from his country to play 100 Test matches. "Mushfiqur is up early every morning, first on the bus, first in the nets, already doing warm-ups and hitting balls before others arrive," Malan said.

"Consistently putting in those hours when the lights are off sets you up to perform when it counts. Hopefully it doesn't go too well for him over the next five days, but congratulations on this achievement."