Bangladesh Vs Zimbabwe Second ODI Played at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium, Mirpur, Dhaka, on 9 November 2015

Bangladesh 241/9 (Imrul Kayes 76, Nasir Hossain 41, Sabbir Rahman 33, Mushfiqur Rahim 21, T Panyangara 3/41, T Muzarabani 2/32, AG Cremer 2/41) beat Zimbabwe 183 All Out (E Chigumbura 47, Sikandar Raza 33, CR Irvine 26 , Mustafizur 3/33, Al-Amin Hossain 2/22, Arafat Sunny 2/36) by 58 runs.

Player of the Match: Imrul Kayes

Tiger squad, ably commanded by irresistible Mashrafe, ensured its fifth ODI series win in a row in bilateral contest rolling over Zimbabwe by 58 runs.

It was the second match of the three-match ODI series. Bangladesh had to play without their ace all-rounder Shakib, now celebrating the birth of his first child in USA. His mates heralded the arrival of the bubbling baby with yet another series win raising prospect of another whitewash.
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It all started with series white wash of Zimbabweans. Later, Pakistan, India and South Africans were toppled over the year and now Zimbabwe is facing the prospect of yet another whitewash. Bangladesh proved impregnable in ODI at home. Bravo tigers, bravo tiger leader Mashrafe!

Put into bat again, Bangladesh could manage a moderate score of 241/9 confronting accurate bowling and sharp fielding of the visitors. Visitors could only manage to score 183 all out in response. Very confident tiger squad made the modest target looking like unassailable Mount Everest, bowling as a team and fielding brilliantly. Even the dew and slippery outfield could not deter Bangladeshis surging for victory. Mustafiz bemused with his cutters and variations, Al-Amin brought important breakthroughs when it mattered, Arafat Sunny proved miserly, Mashrafe himself and Nasir chipped in with useful spells. They bowled superbly as a team.

Winning two in two Bangladesh again raised the expectation of yet another whitewash. Tigers beat their record of four series wins in a row in 2006-07 and 2009. If there is no more hurriedly arranged bilateral series in December 2015 Bangladesh would remain unbeaten in 2015. They are now second best team after Australia in matter of success rate in ODI in 2015.

It looked a bit difficult on the day on a sluggish wicket when Bangladesh score of 241/9 batting first appeared at least 25-30 runs too less to defend. But Mashrafe marshaled his Shakib’s absence-handicapped bowling resources ably shuffling it very smartly. His every change made impacts each time. Mustafiz was in his true elements with deceptive pace and movement, Al-Amin bowled with pace and hostility, Arafat Sunny teased the Zimbabwean batsmen, Nasir filled in the Shakib’s slot with accuracy and Mashrafe bowled with usual control.

Zimbabweans could hardly take control excepting a 78-run fifth wicket partnership between Captain E Chigumbura and Sikandar Raza. Al Amin Hussain accounted for both in quick succession with Imrul Kayes taking two spectacular catches maintaining his balance on dew soaked slippery outfield. Once tigers got the taste of blood they looked irresistible and went on wiping the tail out in no time.

Earlier, E Chigumbura put Bangladesh to bat expecting that they could repeat their performance of chasing and winning as they did in the one off warm up match. They also had dew factor in mind. Bangladesh opened with familiar left handed opening pair of Tamim and Kayes against the new ball attack of Panyangara and Jhongwe. Tamim played few brutal strokes but Kayes looked a bit tentative at the start. Two early strikes by Panyangara tended to derail Bangladesh efforts. Tamim’s budding innings could not blossom and Liton failed yet again. When Cremer accounted for Riyad, Bangladesh 3/79 was in a spot of bother. But by this time Imrul was looking fluent and reliable Mushfiqur started setting his roots. Cremer managed to send Mushfique back before he could start unleashing. Bangladesh soon was 4/127 in the 28th over. With Shakib not there Bangladesh was a little worried. The wicket of Imrul Kayes batting fluently on 76 soon created further worries. Two young late middle order batsmen Sabbir and Nasir copiloted Bangladesh effort as much as they could. Sabbir scored 33 and Nasir 41 but both got out trying forcing the pace. Zimbabwe bowled accurately and fielded with passion. Bangladesh could manage 241/9 which really appeared not adequate mid-way through. Bangladesh has to rethink about its top order as it now has several options. It is time to ponder whether Mushfiqur and Sabbir should bat up the order.

Mashrafe must have had few words of encouragement during the innings break. Though Mustafiz had a bad second over Arafat Sunny delivered when brought in for a lone over removing Chakava. Mashrafe himself followed it up immediately knocking out Chibhabha; two early blows stalled the momentum of the visitors.  Ervine and Williams were ably doing the resurrecting act till Ervine got run out from a direct throw of Liton Das.

Captain Chigumbura and Sikandar Raza were steering the visitors batting smartly. It appeared for a while that the visitors were cruising till Al-Amin bowling to a plan had both removed through excellent catches by Imrul Kayes. Visitors were reduced to 6/156 in the 36th over. They lost their way. The late order did not have the quality to handle red hot Mustafiz and smart Nasir. Bangladesh romped home by 44th over crashing the visitors to a 58 runs defeat. Winning tow back to back of the three matches series Bangladesh has already grabbed the series. In recent times Bangladesh has also made earning series white wash a habit.

It was a major win considering that Bangladesh had to play without their three-in-one player ace all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan. It was encouraging noting that Imrul Kayes back in his slot could shrug off his early nerves in scoring freely. But top order did fail once again. Bangladesh batsmen really did not impose. What batsmen could not deliver was ably compensated by bowlers. Mustafiz was in his element. The reassuring is that Al-Amin bowled exceedingly well. Taskin, Rubel and Shafiul are nursing their wound.  So many options are being created. With series already won, Kamrul Rabbi and Zubair Hossain may be given an opportunity in the next match. The pace attack of Bangladesh is really grooming under able nursing of Heath Streak.

Mahmudullah and Liton failed in both ODIs. But no worries. They are quality batsmen and will find their feet again soon. Anamul Haque may be given opportunity in the third ODI.

Bangladesh cricket team is showing maturity. They can now take pressure and Mashrafe can steer his charge out from tight spots. His inspiration has become enigmatic. It looks great witnessing Bangladesh team oozing out confidence. It now seems that winning has become habit for Mashrafe-led Bangladesh team. Bangladesh now deserves more opportunity for playing against major opposition in the overseas.

BDST: 0916 HRS, NOV 10, 2015
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** Bangladesh win series against Zimbabwe