Bangladesh VS Zimbabwe One Off Test Match
Played at Harare, Zimbabwe (July 7-11,2021)
Brief Scorecard at Stumps Day Three 

Bangladesh 1st Innings 468 All Out (Mahmudullah Riad 150*, Liton K Das 95, Taskin Ahmed 75, Mominul Haq 70, Extras 39, Blessing Muzarabani 4/94, Donald Tiripano 2/58, Victor Nayuchi 2/92) 

Bangladesh 2nd Innings 45/0 (Shadman Islam 22*, Saif Hasan 20*) 

Zimbabwe 1st Innings 276 All Out (Takudzwanasha Kaitano 87, Brendan Taylor 81, Milton Sumba 41, Regis Chakava 31*, Mehidy Miraj 5/82, Shakib Al Hasan 4/82)

Bangladesh leads by 236 Runs with all 10-second innings wickets at hand. 

After the heroics of Mahmudullah, Liton and Taskin spin twins Mehidy Miraj (5/84) and Shakib Al Hasan (4/84) squeezed Zimababwe taking Bangladesh to the driving seat of the one off test match at Harare. At stumps of day three Bangladesh assumed impregnable position of 236 runs ahead with all second innings wickets at hand. Suddenly after tea with home side comfortably placed at 244/5 wicket-started turning. Two quality spinners Mehedi Meraj and Shakib Al Hasan teased tormented home team to a total submission. Last 5 wickets were blown away in the wink of an eye. 

Zimbabwe collapsed losing the last 5 wickets for only 32 runs. They could however avoid being asked to follow on but only just. Bangladesh batting second time scored 45/0 taking 236 runs lead. From the state of the match it appears that with two days left the fate of the test is well written. 

Bangladesh is on the thresh hold of winning the test and the series. Strange things do happen in cricket. But with 236 runs ahead and the wicket turning and developing uneven bounce any drama happening is highly unlikely. 

Resuming their innings on day three at 114/1 home team was looking good reaching 209/2 by lunch. Bangladesh could manage taking the prized wicket of captain BRM Taylor making a polished 81. Debutants Kaitano with patient 63* and Deon Mayers 21* appeared untroubled. 

Taskin and Ebadat were bowling reasonably well. But rookies looked solid and brave. Wicket was playing easy. However after lunch suddenly wicket appeared to change character. Taskin teased both the batsmen. Shakib started playing few tricks with the introduction of the second new ball. It all started with impressive looking Mayers perishing after scoring 27 making score 225/3. What happened after that was a little tremor. Shakib, Miraj and Taskin ran through home teams late mid order and tail in no time. A dramatic collapse saw Zimbabwe losing 8 wickets for 51 runs. Luckily they could avoid the humiliation of following on. Mehedi earned yet another 5 wickets haul finishing 5/84, while Shakib got 4/84. World-class Bangladeshi spin twins can humiliate top batting unit when wicket provides some assistance. It was too much for the inexperienced Zimbabwe team to withstand. 

The feature of the home teams innings was characteristic fluent 81 by Taylor. He fell in his attempt of sweeping Mehidy Miraj a bit unnecessarily before lunch. The debutant opener Katiano scored 81 in 311 deliveries. He richly deserved a century on debut for his almost flawless batting technique, patience and endurance. Apart from the two only Chakava remaining unbeaten at 31 could give some resistance, Mehidy wiped up Zimbabwe tail in a fascinating 19 balls tremor. It was another 5 wickets haul and this time more significantly away from home. Shakib also returned with a rich haul of 4/84. 

It remains to be seen what target Bangladesh sets for the home team. On the turning track as it is now any score of around 350 would be more than enough. With two still to be played there appears only one conclusion of the test. Bangladesh looks assured for gaining a historic series win. 

BDST: 1152 HRS, JUL 10, 2021
SMS