Bangladesh VS Zimbabwe Played at Harare, Zimbabwe 
(July 7-11, 2021).
Brief Scorecard at Stumps of Day Four.
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 284/1 (In 67.4 Overs) Declared (Nazmul Hasan Shanto 117*, Shadman Islam 115*, Saif Hasan 43) 

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)
Zimbabwe 2nd Innings 140/3 in 40 Overs (Brendon Taylor 92, Shakib Al Hasan 1/23, Taskin Ahmed 1/39, Mehidy Miraj 1/45) 

Zimbabwe Trails by 337 Runs with 7 second Innings wickets left. Bangladesh Needs 7 wickets for the test and series win.

Well, the fate of the one-off test and the series is already written. Bangladesh is on the verge of a historic series win, the first ever on a tour in Zimbabwe. In this very test on day one at one stage Bangladesh was looking down the barrel at 132/6. Mahmudullah and Liton first steered Bangladesh out weaving together a 7th wicket partnership of 136 (Lion Contributing a punishing 95). Then test discard Mahmudullah shepherded tail ender Taskin Ahmed in a milestone setting 191 runs 9th wicket partnership. Mahmudullah remained unbeaten at his career best 150. Taskin contributed 75. Bangladesh scoring 468 proved yet again that in test cricket morning does not always show the day. 

Zimbabwe was cruising along scoring 225/2 in response when their batting was suddenly struck by a tremor. Mehedy Miraj (5/82) and Shakib Al Hasan (4/82) initiating dramatic collapse had them all out for 276. Home team just avoided the ignominy of following on.

Home team looked resigned by this time. Wicket also looked docile. Bangladeshi batsman toyed with listless Zimbabwe batting racing to 284/1 in only 67.4 overs batting in T20 mode. Shanto scored unbeaten 117 in 118 deliveries (Five fours and six sixes) and opener Shadman Islam remained unbeaten 115. The unbroken 2nd wicket partnership produced 196 runs. Mominul declared the innings closed at 284/1 setting home team Mount Everest (477) in four and a half session. It made sense that Mominul let his rookie top order make hay while the sun shined. The chances for scoring century in test do not come often for Bangladesh top order. Shadman and Shanto definitely displayed wonderful band of aggressive cricket. 

Zimbabwe at the end of day four finished at 140/3. Captain Bredon Taylor played another cameo of 92 in 72 deliveries. The home team may not survive 90 overs on day five though wicket is still playing firm and true. Bangladesh with two-world class spinner and Mahmudullah bowling again should run through the innings and achieve the first ever test series win.

What this win and Bangladesh performance mean against the weakest team of ICC Test family (even weaker than Afghanistan)? This team also was forced to play with some of their key players. It was only logical that Bangladesh should have won easier. That the test is extended deep into day five is an achievement for the home team. 

BDST: 1334 HRS, JUL 11, 2021
SMS