Bangladesh 433 [ Shakib Al Hasan 137, Tamim Iqbal, Mahmudullah 56, Mominul Haque 35, Taijul Islam 32, T Panyangra 2/49, TL Chatara 2/61 and ML Waller 2/65 ] Zimbabwe 53/1 [ Brain Chari 21* , Hamilton Masakdza 15* , Taijul Islam 1/21]

Sparkling Shakib and cool composed Tamim scoring centuries in contrasting style put Bengal Tigers on the happy hunting mode at Khulna Stadium within less than 100 KM of the Sundarbans Mangrove forest the home of Royal Bengal Tigers.

Bangladesh almost batted for two days in putting up an innings of 433 which perhaps negated the possibility of losing the test at least as Zimbabwe had to confront variable bounce in the period they battled out reaching 53 /1 by the close of play.

The fate of the match will depend how good or bad Zimbabwe bats on the third day especially the pre-lunch session.

With wicket already showing uneven bounce and turn it will be an uphill task for the visitors as they hungry tigers have already found the taste of blood. The three prong spin attack backed up by Riad and Shubhagato will require visitors batting out of their skin to survive.

Bangladesh started the second day at 193 /3 with two mates Shakib and Tamim resuming on a mission in totally contrasting style. Tamim appeared completely out of character but Shakib appeared on his flamboyant best.  The two world class Bengal tigers almost batted visitors out of the game in adding 132 runs for the third wicket partnership.

Tamim scored his fifth century and got out scoring 109 in 473 minutes playing as many as 332 deliveries. It was an innings of great character, grit and determination when he curbed his natural instinct.

However, the ball he got out was a typical stroke that brought his downfall pretty regularly in recent times.

Luckily for him and Bangladesh it came only after he laid a solid foundation for Bangladesh. Shakib on the other hand was on happy go merry mood.

He played some scintillating strokes in registering his third test century which he celebrated in an attractive fashion dedicating it to his darling wife Shishir.

Shakib scored 137 in 180 deliveries striking 18 glorious fours and two majestic sixes. Mushfiq sacrificed his wicket very early in his innings for Shakib when confusion while running between the wickets tangled them. Among others Taijul showed some promise with the bat scoring 32 and Bangladesh could post an impressive 433 consuming almost two complete days.

Zimbabwean bowlers after showing lot of discipline on the first day were rattled by brutal Shakib attack firing on all cylinders but somehow could get away without major damage. Bangladesh at one stage was looking good for 500 or more. Panyanrga, Chatara and Waller grabbed two wickets each.

Zimbabwe’s only bright little spell was a brief period after lunch for the 10 over when they grabbed a wicket giving away only 6 runs.

Tinashe Panyangara and Tendai Chatara bowled some tight overs restricting Bangladeshi eager for cutting loose. . A tight ring of fielders on either side of the batsman limited the chances of rotating the strike.

Shakib attempted to take a desperate single, only for Raza to swoop in from cover and run Mushfiqur Rahim out. The Bangladesh captain had raced to 11 off 5 balls before lunch, but could not find a run in the next 31 balls before he was caught short of his ground.

When Zimbabwe batted Mushfiq had first test hero Taijul sharing new ball with Shahadat. He immediately rang danger as the ball started turning. One could question why Bangladesh had to play with two seamers if new ball required a spinner to share the attack. An additional batting all-rounder or another left arm spinner could be better choice.

Taijul paid back his skippers confidence in him when one of his smart slider struck Sikandar Raza on his pads ruling him out leg before. He challenged for review when hawk eye confirmed the ball striking the leg stump only just. The umpires call sustained. Zimbabwe was one down with only 17 on board.

For the rest of the afternoon seasoned pro Hamilton Masakadza pairing with young debutant Brain Chari braved their way to an unbroken second wicket partnership of 36 runs. Mushfiq tried with Shakib and Jubair in desperate attempt of grabbing at least one more wicket .But dogged defense of Zimbabwe pair could keep tiger squad at bay. Zimbabwe finished day two at 53/1.

Batting on day three on the wicket will require lot of applications and commitment. Sliders and arm balls of Taijul and Shakib made get assistance from the wicket.

Teenager Jubair may cause some panic as well. Post lunch session is very crucial. If tigers can pick three to four wickets during the session they will rule the roost.

On the other hand if Zimbabwe can survive the session without much damage they can play for saving the match at least. We have to see how Mushfiq marshals his resources, He should try Rubel with the slightly old ball to see whether he can reverse at some stage or there will be no point to play him in the test.

BCB cannot justify sticking with Shamsur Rahman and Shubhagato Hom for the test when they had better options. They may have to rue the decision at the end of the test.

Shakib proved once again what he means for Bangladesh cricket. He can play in the team for his batting or bowling alone. When he performs with both in the way he has done in one and a quarter of the test underlines his superlative class at the greatest all-rounder in world cricket now. It underlined how BCB harsh decision on his three months ban hurt Bangladesh cause in West Indies series.

We recommended for hefty fines and few ODI suspensions .But BCB debarred him for the entire series which Bangladesh suffered a comprehensive series white wash sinking Bangladesh deeper in ICC ranking .With Shakib playing at least the tests Bangladesh may not have to embrace such ignominy. We get wiser after the damage done.

BDST: 0850 HRS, NOV 05, 2014