13 January 2005	Thursday	02 Zilhaj 1425

DHAKA, Jan 12: Bangladesh are hoping to serve up a spinner's wicket for the second and final Test against Zimbabwe as they bid to complete the first series success of their short history.

"I'm hoping that the spinners might get more help from the pitch here than in Chittagong," Bangladesh captain Habibul Bashar said before Friday's start in Dhaka. Bangladesh won the opening Test, their first success in 35 attempts since gaining Test status in 2000, by 226 runs in Chittagong despite Bashar's reservations over the wicket.

Coach Dav Whatmore said that his players were suddenly having to cope with the expectation of actually winning a game. "It's a different pressure. The pressure is to maintain form and finish on a high note," he said. "Another win will let us look forward, not back."

The home side are set to retain specialist spinners Mohammad Rafique, who took five wickets in the first innings in Chittagong, and teenager Enamul Haque junior, who took six in the second.

They will be backed up by part-time spinners Rajin Saleh, Mohammad Ashraful and Bashar. Pace bowler Tapash Baisya faces a fitness test on Thursday. Zimbabwe have just returned after their Test status was suspended last June.

They were no longer considered competitive following a walk-out by leading white players during a selection dispute. "It is going to be hard again," Zimbabwe coach Phil Simmons said. "To be honest, they are playing more consistent cricket than we are." Batsman Dion Ebrahim is expected to return for Zimbabwe. -AFP