Smarting from an innings and 99-run defeat in the first Test in Dhaka, the Tigers have arrived in an unusually subdued Chittagong with fan interest at its lowest ebb in years. Naturally, a lot of criticism has been thrown at the team following their recent performances and the players have also been targets of the odd rebuke from frustrated supporters. But Mashud feels this is the time when support is most needed.

" We haven't played well and I can understand the anger. But we have to have the home supporters' backing now more than ever. A lot many things have been said, many things have been written in newspapers about us but my appeal to the crowd will be that this is your team playing so please rally around it. Besides, I would like the fans to remember that because of this cricket team, we have earned international recognition and many good things have also happened," said Mashud after yesterday morning's practice at the MA Aziz Stadium.

Mashud, deputising for injured Habibul Bashar, said the younger players are the ones most affected by criticism.

"There are a lot of newcomers. They are already under pressure to perform. If the fans are behind them, they will realise that it is a demand that they do well. That is very important."

Regarding Bashar's absence, Mashud said the dashing right-hander would be seriously missed.

"He is someone who takes the attack to the opposing bowlers. When other players see him taking charge, they feel inspired to do the same. So that will be something we will be missing," said Mashud who still felt the team had the potential to do well here.

"In the first Test, we could not perform to our ability. We are a much better team and it is our challenge to show that."

Coach Dav Whatmore was also thinking on similar lines.

"If we are able to post 300 runs and they have a hundred lead and we go and post some runs in the second innings, then they have to bat on a tricky surface on the fifth day. Okay, we didn't do to well in Dhaka. We got beaten heavily. But the difference can be much closer," said the Australian who has concentrated heavily on batting since the Dhaka debacle.

"We have spoken to all the batsmen and we are still doing that now in an attempt to combat the areas I've spoken about -- first new ball, second new ball, keep the wickets, play straight, make them earn you wicket. You don't want to give them too many presents. We had to earn almost all their wickets."

Regarding the pitch and the toss, Whatmore was rather philosophical.

"The wicket here probably has a bit more bounce than Dhaka. But I don't think tosses are an advantage, as you have seen in Dhaka, unless you are prepared for the competition. Whether you bat first or bowl, you have to be ready."

The Bangladesh think-tank have picked a 12-man squad and left out paceman Tareq Aziz Khan. There is an intriguing possibility that that three left-arm spinners might play for the first time in the country's history with Enamul Haque (Jr) partnering the wily Mohammad Rafique and Manzarul Islam. Enamul last played a Test exactly a year ago at this very ground against England.

Sources close to the team management have hinted that it will be a direct fight between all-rounder Mushfiqur Rahman and Alok Kapali for the final slot. That will mean both Chittagoneans Nafees Iqbal and Aftab Ahmed will be playing in front of their home crowd in a Test for the first time.

Nafees ensured his position with an innings-high 49 in Bangladesh's second essay in Dhaka and will open with Javed Omar. If Aftab gets the nod, he will make his Test debut.

Whatmore however said that they would take time before selecting the final eleven.

"Anything is possible, even three spinners. But whoever we decide to leave out, it will be genuinely in the best interest of Bangladesh cricket."

New Zealand skipper Stephen Fleming thought that the wicket, which is devoid of any grass with even the loose grass topping cleared, seemed a good one for batting.

"It looks pretty similar to Dhaka. We'll gauge in the morning how much moisture there is in the wicket but I believe it will be very good for batting in the first two days."

Fleming was determined not to lose the intensity of the Dhaka victory.

"We want to be as comprehensive as we were in the last Test. We have practised hard and I'm sure you will see a much better performance.

"We want to win this Test as convincingly and for that reason you won't see too many changes in the team. We will have a look at the wicket tomorrow to assess what the best combination will be and then go about winning this Test."

Teams
BANGLADESH (from): Khaled Mashud (Captain), Javed Omar, Nafees Iqbal, Rajin Saleh, Mohammad Ashraful, Aftab Ahmed, Alok Kapali, Mushfiqur Rahman, Mohammad Rafique, Manzarul Islam, Enamul Haque (Jr.) and Tapas Baisya.

NEW ZEALAND (from): Stephen Fleming (Captain), Mark Richardson, Matthew Sinclair, Nathan Astle, Scott Styris, Brendon McCullum, Jacob Oram, James Franklin, Daniel Vettory, Ian Butler, Paul Wiseman, Hamish Marshall, Kyle Mills and Chris Martin.

Umpires: Daryll Harper (Australia), Mark Benson (England).