Score at the End of the Third Day.

Bangladesh 433 All Out [Shakib Al Hasan 137, Tamim Iqbal 109. Mahamudullah Riyad 56, Taijul Islam 32, T Panyangara 2/49, TL Chatara 2/61, MN Waller 2/65] Zimbabwe 331/5 [Hamilton Masakadza 155*, RW Chakava 75, BRM Taylor 37, Shakib Al Hasan 3/70. Taijul Islam 2/94]

The old saying “Catches Win Matches” proved right yet again. The team that drops so many catches does not deserve to win match as Bangladesh did on Wednesday at Sheikh Abu Naser Stadium in Khulna. Consequently Zimbabwe exploiting the situation challenged Bangladesh courageously and at the end of the third day created the opportunity for at least earning an honorable draw. At 331/5 the visitors are 102 runs in arrears. Unless Bangladesh gets the remaining five wickets early on Thursday, draw is one of the probable conclusions. The story could be so different if butter fingered Bangladeshis could even accept half of the catches that came their way. But that did not happen and Bangladesh can only blame themselves for letting the visitors go off the hook. On a wicket which can be termed as “bowlers graveyard” creating so many opportunities can be given as great credit for Shakib and co but our fielders failed to reap rich harvest of these.

Cricinfo wrote at the end of the day, Zimbabwe Shelter Under Mount Masakadza”. Yes, they did and for that the big framed Zimbabwean deserves unqualified praise. But without taking any credit from him it may be said that our fielders were also too generous and made significant contributions in letting him perform his great rescue act. Shamsur Rahman dropped him early in the second over of the day three. The great champion of Zimbabwean cricket cause played yet another great innings carrying his team on his wide shoulder. Remaining unconquered at stumps on the third day on 154 playing 316 balls and sharing an unbroken sixth wicket partnership of 142 with young wicket keeper batsman RW Chakabva batting on 75 well-made runs. It is true that the wicket had very little to offer, but the way Masakadza and Chakabva resisted the incessant bombarding of variety of spin bowling Bangladesh offered was not only brave but also of great quality and commitment.

In the post lunch session, Shakib had a magic spell grabbing three quick wickets. Zimbabwe were in danger of stuttering in spin web yet again, but Mount Masakadza stood like the “Rock of Gibraltar”. Given let off by hospitable Bangladeshi fielders he carried his team from a tight corner to a zone of assurance. Not that he crumbled to his shell playing dour defensive, he counter attacked playing many attractive strokes. Skipper Mushfiqur could not give good account of himself. For reasons which he could only answer his bowling rotation and field placing were very ordinary.

Off the 112 overs Bangladesh bowled in the innings one of his regular spinner Mahamudullah Riyad bowled only 2 overs. In other several matches whenever the team is in better position Mushfiqur never hesitated to over bowl him giving other bowlers lesser opportunities. It is clear that Mushfiqur protects his relative from adverse situation when the going goes wrong exposing others to bear the brunt. Other five spinners bowled 86 overs among themselves. We are unsure whether Riyad was unfit for bowling or Mushfiqur was shielding him. Three main spinners bowled 78 overs among them. Clearly the wicket did not have turn and bounce. On such wicket I personally consider that a teenager Jubair was over bowled and experienced Riyad was definitely under bowled.

Justice won’t be done to Zimbabwe if we do not acclaim their brilliant resolute batting throughout the day. They were up against it. Their trusted servant Hamilton Masakadza was a symbol of confidence; the man mountain in between another collapse and safety. Shakib was running away with another deadly bowling spell out of nowhere after lunch grabbing three quick wickets. One leading Bangladesh Print Media carried a news item, “Zimbabwe stuttering with Shakib fever”. But the man mountain stood firm and doggedly defended and encouraged young Chakabva to play his natural game. The 6th wicket partnership not only avoided the follow on which was looming large but also carried the team to within 102 of Bangladesh first innings with half of wickets still intact. Chakabva is in the crease with an unbeaten 75, his highest score in Tests.

One may think the test is heading towards a draw. But remembering that the first test was decided in three days there are lot to play over the last two days. Bangladesh can yet wrap up the Zimbabwean innings quick enough and then batting aggressively can throw a challenging target to the visitors on the last day of the test. Zimbabwe may even take a lead and Bangladesh may implode characteristically in the second innings and Zimbabwe may surprise. The game of cricket is not over till the last act is played. But anyway the first session of the fifth day is very crucial for both the team when drama is expected to unfold. We only hope that Royal Bengal Tigers in the Mangrove Forest must not be dishonored. We also hope that Mushfiqur gets smarter in marshalling his resources.

BDST: 0925 HRS, NOV 06, 2014