Zimbabwe 240 All Out [Sikandar Raza 51, CR Ervine 34, ), Elton Chigumbura ( 29) , Brendan Taylor ( 28 ) and Regis Chakabva ( 25), Sakibul Hasan 6/ 59 ,Jubair Hussain 2/58 ] Bangladesh 27/1 [ Mominul 14* and Shasur Rahman 8* ]
Sizzling Shakib Al Hasan stormed back at his brilliant best and memorable debut of teenager leg spinner Jubair Hossain restricted Zimbabwe to 240 in the first innings of the first of three test match series at the tigers den of Mirpur Dhaka.
Shakib with 6/59 had his twelfth five or more wickets haul in a test innings which includes the glorious feat of achieving against all eight test playing nations he played against.
He has not played any test yet against Australia. Rookie teenager Jubair in his debut impressed all taking 2 important wickets of Sikandar Raza and Skipper Brendon Taylor heralding arrival of a new hero.
Dhaka wicket for a change produced uncharacteristic bounce making it challenging for batting if not concentrating and committing to bat. Bangladesh lost Tamim Iqbal in their reply reaching 27 at stumps.
The wicket by no means is a batsman’s paradise .Bangladesh has to bat out of the skins to try and earn a significant lead to force the visitors struggle for survival. As Shakib put it after the days preceding a score of 350-400 should be the initial target. A bit more will put them to the driver’s seat after first innings. Zimbabwe bowlers bowled with discipline in the short spell they did and will definitely not offer gifts to the tigers.
Shakib made a princely return to the team after serving which many termed a harsh three months suspension from alleged wrong attitude.
His strong performance is a fitting reply to his critics and a lesson showing what Bangladesh lost in his absence in the disastrous West Indies tour where it got a comprehensive brown wash.
With Shakib Bangladesh is a different side having depth and diversity in all department of the game. No one supports antics of any player but before taking any actions against anyone, smart persons must always consider how it will impact upon national cause and interest.
Many of Shakib fans including Sagar–Runi’s orphan son Maheer Sarwar Megh strongly suggested to BCB President to take him back to national team.
Shakib is a rare-breed cricketer, a three in one player, the ICC top ranked all-rounder who must be handled with care and diligence.
The all-important poor man’s ashes – the do or die battle of ninth and tenth ICC ranked teams got rolling at home of Bangladesh cricket at Sher-E-Bangla National Stadium Dhaka.
For both host Bangladesh and visitor Zimbabwe, it is a very important series considering that Bangladesh win will help them topple over Zimbabwe and occupy ninth rank while Zimbabwe win will further sink Bangladesh deeper down and create situation for Bangladesh playing in the intercontinental cup with ICC associate countries for qualifying in the next ICC world Cup.
Win by a 3-0 margin can also close the gap with the eight rank team West Indies where cricket now is in all sorts of bother.
Teams started with different mid set. Bangladesh had a comprehensive blackwash in its recent West Indian tour lose all games in all formats. Zimbabwe performed admirably in the Triangular ODI series with two of the strongest ODI teams Australia and South Africa.
But circumstances alter cases. Bangladesh in Bangladesh is always considered favorites against Zimbabwe at least in tests on slow low turning tracks. But this Zimbabwean team has several players who have extensive exposure to Bangladesh conditions having played in DCL and BPL for local franchises.
Zimbabweans winning toss and electing to bat ran into immediate trouble when Shahadat removed the opener Vusi Sibanda in his very first over.
Shahadat appeared much fitter and hungry bowling with pace and pitching on a right length. Sikandar Raza and Hamilton Masakadza applied for a while to resurrect the innings. Shakib was brought in a bit early. He struck a deadly blow removing experienced Masakadza to a catch by debutant Jubair.
Zimbabwe went to lunch without further damage scoring 71. Jubair in his only over before lunch showed enough promise to encourage his captain as the bounce was also helping him.
After lunch the leggie struck two vital blows removing well settled Taylor and Sikandar Raza. These made serious dent as by that time Shakib started weaving his magic wand.
Sikandar Raza had two 50 runs partnership while trying desperately for giving the visitor’s innings some substance. But three prongs Bangladesh spin attack Shakib, Jubair and Taijul teased and tormented their batsmen.
It is after a long time Bangladesh played a genuine leg spinner after the bowling all-rounder Alok Kapali.
We remember Kapali almost won a match against Pakistan at Multan taking a hat-trick only to be deprived through a majestic batting of Inzamamul Huq and some atrocious umpiring.
Jubair did not show any nerve and has really shown great promise. He got two wickets but could get a couple more if Bangladesh could all the catches that were given in his bowling. Taijul bowled well but again I repeat not playing Saqlain Sajeb was not a smart decision.
Of the Zimbabweans only Sikandar Raza could score 51 . Few others like Craig Ervine (34), Elton Chigumbura ( 29) , Brendan Taylor ( 28 ) and Regis Chakabva ( 25) made start but could not carry on . Bangladesh after a long time bowled consistently well as a team on a wicket having some assistance.
240 run on such a wicket must not be considered as a small score and given the nature of Bangladesh batting in the recent past we have to wait and see how they apply themselves to their tasks.
Tamim Iqbal got a brute of a delivery jumping from a length awkwardly and took his gloves when he desperately tried to avoid playing. Resolute Shamsur Rahman and little bird Mominul Huq saw off the day without further damage to carry the fight on.
The first session of the second day will be very important to dictate the fate of the test. Bangladesh must not hurry and must play each ball according to their merit. Zimbabwe may not be offering free bees.
Their pace attack has quality and diversity. Bangladesh must try and put up a significant lead to apply pressure on the visitors in the second innings.
Bangladesh Squad: Tamim Iqbal, Shamsur Rahman, Mominul Haque, Mushfiqur Rahim (capt & wk), Shakib Al Hasan, 6 Mahmudullah, Shuvagata Hom, Taijul Islam, Jubair Hossain, Shahadat Hossain and Al-Amin Hossain.
Zimbabwe: Sikandar Raza, Vusi Sibanda, Hamilton Masakadza, Brendan Taylor (capt), Craig Ervine, Elton Chigumbura, Regis Chakabva (wk), Tendai Chatara, Tafadzwa Kamungozi, John Nyumbu and Tinashe Panyangara.
BDST: 1002 HRS, OCT 26, 2014
