Bangladesh Vs Zimbabwe One Off Teat Played at SBNCS 22-26 February 2020 

Brief Scorecard at Stumps Day Three

Zimbabwe 1st Innings 265 All Out In 106.3 Overs (CR Ervine 107, PS Masvure 64, R Chakava 30, Naeem Hasan 4/70, Abu Jayed 4/71 and Taijul Islam 2/90)  and 2nd Innings 9/2 in 5 overs ( Naeem 2/4) 
Bangladesh 1st Innings 560/6 declared in 154 Overs. (Mushfiqur Rahim 203*, Mominul Haque 132, Nazmul Hossain 71, Tamim Iqbal 41, Liton K Das 53, Ndioviu 2/170, DT Tripano 1/96 , VM Nyauchi 1/87).

At stumps of day three Zimbabwe staring at humiliating innings defeat were tottering at 9/2after Bangladesh declared its innings closed at 560/6 as soon as Majestic Mushfique reached yet another double century (203) his third in test. Other little master captain Mominul earlier scored a polished 132 and two M’s produced a match defining 4th wicket partnership of 222. Zimbabwe managed scoring 265 in the first innings. In fading lights Naeem opening the attack in the second innings struck double blow in his very first over left the visitors tottering at 9/2 at stumps. 

Arguably this is perhaps even the weakest Zimbabwean team ever visiting Bangladesh. The bowling attack can not be compared at all with Indian and Pakistani bowling attack against which Bangladesh recently struggle. But that must not take away any credit from the brilliant batting of Bangladesh and over all performance so far over the past three days. The fate of the match could be well guessed at stumps of day two. Two very accomplished Bangladesh batsmen, the Bangla versions of Little Master, Mominul and Mushfique well set. Bangladesh was comfortably placed at 240/4 (Mominul on 79* and Mushique 31*). On the pre lunch session of day three two M’s annihilated the very ordinary tourist attack scoring at random. Mominul reached his 9th Century and Mushfique was unbeaten on 99 at lunch. Even on day three touring spinners could test Bangladesh batsmen with turn or flight. Bangladesh batsmen required this confidence prior to another testing time soon against Pakistan at Karachi. Mominul left after scoring 132. But Mushfique went on and on. Mithun could not give him company for a long time. But Liton played a swashbuckling 53 and in the process added another 111 with Mushfique for the 6th wicket. With Mushfique approaching his double hundred Mominul delayed the declaration till the milestone was achieved. Mushfique’s unbeaten 203 in 318 deliveries featured 28 exquisite boundaries. It was his third double century, his second against Zimbabwe .Mominul was the sheet anchor of the innings before Mushfique took over. His 132 in 234 deliveries included 14 strikes across the fence. It was his 9th test century equaling the tally of Tamim Iqbal. All his centuries however were scored in Bangladesh .It was his first as captain of Bangladesh. He pledged with confidence before the match that Bangladesh batsmen would score century and double century. Incidentally that turned out so precisely. Wonder how could a thought even came to some people for not including Mushfique in test against Zimabawe?

Zimbabwean wicket keeper Chakava alone featured in 5 of the 6 dismissals, a new record for a wicket keeper in test in Bangladesh. With rain forecasted for day five and some possibilities on even day four Mominul declared. In the fading lights only 5 overs were possible. Bangladesh used Naeem and Taizul. Of them Nameem struck double blow in his very first over Masvure clean bowled and getting night watchman Tirpano caught behind of successive deliveries . Zimbabwe was 9/2 when stumps were drawn facing an uphill task of scoring 286 to make Bangladesh bat again.
 
From here on Bangladesh should wrap up the match comfortably. Any win in international match always gives confidence. Bangladesh in test require lot of that. However, even in this plenty the manners in which 5 of the six batsmen got out evidences weakness against balls leaving them. Against genuine quick pace bowlers on bouncy wickets Bangladesh needs avoiding such strokes knowing exactly their off stump. 

BDST: 1758 HRS, FEB 24, 2020
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