Bangladesh 433 [Shakib Al Hasan 137, Tamim Iqbal 109, Mahmudallah Riyad 56, Mominul Haque 35, Taijul Islam 32 , T Panyangara 2/49, TL Chatara 2/61, ML Waller 2/65] and Bangladesh 201/5 [Mahamudullah Riyad 63*, Mominul Haque  54, Shubhagato Hom 23*, ML Waller 4/48] Zimbabwe 368 [H Masakadza 158, RW Chakava 101, BRM Taylor 37, Shakib Al Hasan 5/80, Taijul Islam 3/96   and Rubel Hossain 2/55 ] 

Bengal Tigers were smelling blood at its den in Khulna stadium on turning wicket of uneven bounce with a healthy lead of 266 having still another 5 wickets of the second innings intact. They can push for a quick 40-50 runs in an hour this morning and attack the visitors for 5 hours to win the test and the series. The wicket is turning and having uneven bounce. Ending off Shakib, Taijul and Jubair on this surface will not be easy on such a surface.

We said a test cricket played over 5 days must not be taken for granted for anything on the end of the third day. What we predicted in our last match report happened. Shakib with his 13th five wicket haul in a test innings opened the window for a Bangladesh push of consolidating the advantage with a 65 runs first innings lead. Then pocket dynamo Mominul and consistent Mahmudullah batted smartly despite of a mini middle order hiccup towards a comfortable lead by the end of play on the fourth day. All three possibilities are now very much alive in the test – a win for either side or a draw. Bangladesh will need at least 320 and about 70 overs to try and grab 10 Zimbabwean wickets on a surface which was giving lot of assistance to the spinners on the last session of the fourth day.

Whatever be the fate of the match, November 6, 2014 will always be remembered as a significant day in Bangladesh cricket history as two of the proud sons joined the elite club of vintage cricketers for the enviable feet. Top ICC ranked all-rounder Shakib after scoring strokefull 137 in the first innings achieved a haul of 5/80 in the Zimbabwean first Innings. This was his 13th five wicket haul in an innings. This was his second achievement of a century and 5 wickets haul in an innings of a test. His earlier achievement was against Pakistan at Mirpur in 2011 when he scored 144 and took 6 wickets 82 for runs. Shakib’s name will now be remembered in the same breath with Sir Garfield St Aubrun Sobers, Sir Ian Terence Botham, Jack Kallis and Mustaque Mohammad for achieving the feat at least twice in a test Innings. Botham scored a century and took 5 wickets in an innings in the same Test match on 5 occasions; no-one else has managed this feat more than twice. Shakib is also only the eighth cricketer scoring three test centuries and taking 5 wickets in the same test 10 or more times. The others are Richie Benaud, Ian Botham, Imran Khan, Kapil Dev, Wasim Akram, Chris Cairns and Daniel Vettori. Shakib is still in the midst of his brilliant career. He can still try and reach the milestone set by Ian Botham.

Pocket Dynamo Mominul Haque also entered another elite group of cricketers reaching a milestone of 1000 test runs in his 11th test joining sub continental great Sunil Monohar Gavaskar and Chetasawar Pujara. Even other great little masters Sachin Tendulkar, Indian Wall Rahul Dravid, Pakistan Great Javed Miandad and Asian Bradman Zaheer Abbas could not reach the milestone earlier than Mominul.

At the start of day four Zimbabwe was looking good for reach Bangladesh first Innings of 433 starting at 331/5. Shakib plotted the destruction disturbing the furniture of Mount Masakdza early. He went on grabbing his 5th wicket of the innings when he claimed M Waller. When Rubel removed Chattra Zimbabwe were soon reduced to 351/8. Young Chakava carried on the fight and earned his well-deserved century 101 before Taijul induced him plumb in front. Bangladesh achieved a vital 65 runs first innings.

Bangladesh innings started with a bang with Tamim striking four exquisite boundaries before falling to a brilliant caught and bowled to Panyangra for 20. Reliable Mominul steadied the ship in his characteristic lazy elegance. Shamsur was struggling to rotate the strike. Yet the pair added 47 runs in the second wicket partnership before Shamsur was adjudged caught behind from an umpires review off the bowling of Waller. The ball had a faint touch on the outside edge of his bat and then touching the pad went to keepers gloves. Third umpire took a lot of time in coming to the decision which could go either way. Mahamudullah joined Mominul and the partnership started flourishing. It is great to see Mahamudullah achieving great consistency. Mominul played some delightful strokes and reached a remarkable milestone of reaching 1000 runs in his 11th test match. He also went on to score his 7th fifty in only his 20th test innings. Mominul also has three centuries in his credit. When the pair was going great suddenly he got out to an innocuous looking Waller delivery which he tried to turn off his hip. The ball popped up and wicket keeper Chakava dived on time to grab it. Mominul’s departure created a mini crisis. Shakib and Mushfiqur became victim of sudden unpredictable behavior of the wicket. First a ball from Waller kept low which Shakib failed to turn and struck on his back pad. He was adjudged LBW which Shakib unsuccessfully reviewed. Very next Ball suddenly jumped almost from the same spot which Mushfiqur globed and again Chakava took a smart catch. Waller was on a hat trick. Bangladesh from a zone of comfort went into a spot of bother. But reliable Riyad played with renewed confidence could stem the rot and pairing with Shubhagato Hom carried on till the end of the day with an unbroken 56-run sixth wicket partnership. Riyad scored his second fifty and was looking good. He looked matured and was oozing with confidence. 

My great friend and critic Dr Maung Kyaw Sein sounded extremely delighted for two reasons. His favorites Mominul (From His District Cox’s Bazar) and his blue eyed boy Mahmudullah are doing extremely well. We often exchange friendly fire at each other to keep our great friendship going.

Bangladesh finished day four of the test sitting pretty with a handy lead of 266 runs with half of their second innings wicket intact. A quick 50-60 runs over the first hour of play before declaring will put them in a position of pushing for a win. The wicket is turning and showing ominous sign of uneven bounce. A brave captain would dare to declare setting a target of even 300. But Bangladesh with already 1-0 up must not gamble. At least 325 runs and two and half sessions will be a good bet to try and win the series here with three quality spinners and pacers capable of reverse swing on a wearing fifth day wicket. But Bangladesh must be smarter in taking their catches. A repeat of first innings may not serve their cause.

I have seen Royal Bengal Tigers waiting for preying deer at Heeron Point on a moonlit night from a boat in 1971 during the Liberation War. Bengal tigers at Khulna stadium on the fifth day of the test today will rekindle that memory for me. What a great joy it will bring to Bangladeshi nation if Tigers win the test and win the series today.

BDST: 0906 HRS, NOV 07, 2014