UCB Test Series Powered By Walton
Bangladesh Vs Zimbabwe Test Played at SBNCS Dhaka
Score Card at Stumps Day-3
Bangladesh 522/7 Declared (Mushfiqur Rahim 219*, Mominul Haq 161, Mehedy Miraj 68*, Kyle Jarvis 5/ 71) Zimbabwe 304 / 9 (BPM Taylor 110, PJ Moore 83, Brian Chari 53, Taijul Islam 5/107, Mehedy Miraj 3/51)
Bangladesh at stumps of day three looks to have wretched the advantage in its mission for winning the squaring the two matches test series against Zimbabwe. The visitors after a day long dogged fight back could reach as far as 304/9 responding to Bangladesh score of 522/7 declared. With injured Brian Chattara not being able to bat Zimbabwe finished 19 runs short of avoiding following on. From the state of the match it appears that Bangladesh would bat again and set a target for the visitors allowing enough time for bowlers getting Zimbabwe all out second time.
Six sessions of day four and five left for the match. None can predict anything accurately in a game of cricket. Still advantage is with Bangladesh. If they do not put their feet wrong they should win from here which they so desperately need.
It will be unfair not giving the due credit to the visitors for dragging their innings till stumps of day three. They reached almost the point of avoiding the following on through brilliant batting of veteran Brian Taylor and youngster Peter Moore. They put together an excellent 139 runs sixth wicket partnership leading a major recovery from a disastrous situation of 131/5. Many thought Bangladesh would steam roll the later order batting of the visitors. Bangladesh fielders failing to hold few catches also did not help their cause. With their back to the wall Taylor and Moore produced a brilliant partnership.
The visitors lost their 9th wicket in the last over before stumps. With injured Chattara not being able to hold the bat the visitors conceded 218 runs lead. Bangladesh can either ask the opposition bat again or they bat again.
Zimbabwe started the day at 25/1. The night watchman Tirpano and opener Chari survived the early bursts of the newish ball. In our opinion debutant Khaled could not bowl consistently in the right channel. He was fast and looked slippery. But he did not let batsman play most of his balls. Mustafiz also not appeared at his usual self.
Taijul looked threatening as usual and Mehedy started bowling well as day progressed. Bangladesh could take only two wickets before lunch removing both the overnight not out batsmen.
After lunch Bangladesh started bowling to a plan and within no time reduced the visitors to 131/5. Veteran Taylor was fighting back to the wall all the way dropping anchors. In this situation Peter Moore thinking counter attack as the best policy started playing aggressive strokes. The partnership started growing and the possibility of visitors avoiding the follow on started looming. Desperate Mahmudullah in efforts of breaking the partnership brought in Ariful Haq. It worked.
Arif removed Moore (83) trapping him LBW. The 6th wicket partnership by that time put together invaluable 139. Once Moore was gone wickets fell at regular interval and in between generous
Bangladesh fielders dropped few catches also. When it seemed that the visitors were going to avoid the following on Taijul completed his third five wickets haul of the series. Visitors lost their ninth and ultimate wicket at 304 still 19 runs away from the follow on target. The monumental efforts of BPM Taylor’s dogged innings of 110 off 194 deliveries and aggressive 83 off 114 balls of PJ Moore did almost all short of achieving primary target.
Southpaw spinner Taijul once again bowled superbly. He set up all his victims with his turns and flights. Finally his straightened his deliveries confusing the batsmen. Williams and Sikandar Raza were completely foxed. His double strikes after lunch pegged the visitors back. His 5/107 was the third consecutive 5 wickets haul taking his series tally to 16 wickets. Mehedy Miraj also bowled well taking vital wickets at the right moment. He took 3/51. What a wonderful all round performance after his unbeaten 68 with the bat.
The situation where the match is now would warrant Bangladesh batting again and going for quick 170-180 runs in about a session and a half set a target of 375-380 before declaring. Bangladesh bowlers would need at least 120 overs and four sessions for pressing for the win. Bangladesh desperately needs a win only for squaring the series and avoiding the humiliation of losing against Zimbabwe. Still a long way to go. Lots and lots can happen in between. Cricket is a funny game where strange things do happen.
BDST: 0915 HRS, NOV 14, 2018
SI
