Gabriel’s absence gives Bangladesh an edge: Mithun
||CF Correspondent||
West Indies fast bowler Shannon Gabriel’s absence would give Bangladesh end edge in the second and final Test as the hosts are looking to sweep the series, believes Mohammad Mithun.
Gabriel was suspended for the second Test, beginning from November 30, after his accumulated demerit points reached five within a 24-month period following his inappropriate and deliberate physical contact with Bangladesh opener Imrul Kayes on the first day of the opening Test.
Gabriel humiliated Bangladesh in the country’s tour of the Caribbean islands in June and continued it in Bangladesh tour too, as he took four wickets in just 18 balls to trigger the hosts’ collapse in the first innings of the first Test. Bangladesh though won the game, they knew that the Gabriel-effect could be dangerous in the second Test. So his suspension was a sigh of relief for them.
“Gabriel bowled really well even on a flat wicket. He took the vital wickets. Kemar Roach is effective with the new ball. But he is not as effective as Gabriel with the old ball. Of course, we’ll have an Advantage,” Mithun said.
“West Indies are good as a team, there is no question in it. We have to play our best cricket to do well against them. It’s not like we’ll win against them even if we play badly. Every international team is strong, so we’ll have to play at our level best to achieve [good] results there [in the international arena].”
Irrespective of whether Gabriel is in or out of the team, Mithun said the Tigers do not expect to finish every Test inside three days.
“There are no such thoughts. Of course, the target is to play for five days in a five-day match. But if something of like that happens due to the conditions, then it’s a different thing,” he said.
