Published: Oct 27, 2014, 03:23 PM (IST)
Edited: Oct 27, 2014, 08:45 PM (IST)
By Indrajit Dutta
Oct 27, 2014
Bangladesh warded off a spirited Zimbabwe in a tense chase to win the first Test by three wickets at Mirpur on Monday. Bangladesh needed to chase 101 to win after Zimbabwe had only managed to acquire a lead of 100 after being bowled out for 114 in the second innings. The hosts made heavy weather of it but their skipper, Mushfiqur Rahim with his calm 23 , in the end ensured that the Zimbabweans would not pull off a miraculous victory. He had the star performer of the day left-arm off-spinner Taijul Islam with him when the winning runs were hit. Taijul recorded figures off eight for 39 in the second innings.
Chasing a paltry 101 Bangladesh got off to the worst possible start. They were reduced to zero for three within the first six overs. Medium pacers Tinashe Panyangara and Elton Chigumbura did the damage with some incisive bowling. Chigumbura was simply superb as he ended with figures of four for 21.
At tea the hosts seemed to have recovered when to a position of stability at 62 for four with Mahmudullah and Rahim at the crease. It seemed there would be no more alarms. Chigumbura though had other ideas. he nipped out Mahmudullah and the next batsman Hom in the same over. At 64 for six Bangladesh were in trouble. From here on Rahim and Hossain saw there would be no reasons to panic as they guided the team home.
It was some poor shot-making that had put Bangladesh in a position of strife. Haque’s attempt at a straight drive only resulted in him hitting the ball back to the bowler for an easy caught and bowled. Mahmudullah too was guilty of playing a loose shot when inside a wide delivery onto his stumps.
Earlier Taijul Islam, was the wrecker-in-chief as he recorded figures of eight for 39. Zimbabwe were always going to find it tough against the Bangladeshi spinners and this was evident in both their innings. In the first innings all -rounder Shakib Al Hasan scalped six wickets and in this innings they simply were clueless against the wiles of Taijul.
The fourth day had started with Bangladesh in front by 14 runs but Zimbabwe had all their wickets in hand. Soon they would be dire straits as wickets started to fall in a flurry. The first to go was Vusibusi Sibanda who played forward to a delivery that bounced more, he only succeeded in edging it to the keeper and skipper Mushfiqur Rahim.
That brought Hamilton Masakadza to the middle. Zimbabwe needed him to stay in for a long time. He started well by hitting a four off Islam. Medium pacer Shahdat Hossain, however, cut short his stay at the crease with a superb inswinger which castled him for five.
The two batsman out in the middle were Sikandar Raza and Regis Chakbava. The need of the hour was defence. Raza, however, thought differently. He went after Islam and hit two sixes. Islam, however extracted revenge by inducing him to go for another one.
Brendon Taylor came to the crease and somebody needed to support him. Islam, however, had other ideas, kept on striking regularly and Bangladesh were soon into the tail. At lunch they were 93 for seven. After lunch Taijul polished off the tail leaving Taylor not out on 45 not out. Zimbabwe folded up for 114. In the end this wasn’t enough although Zimbabwe fought tooth and nail to keep the game alive, but Bangladesh skipper Rahim took his side home.
Brief scores:
Zimbabwe 240 (Sikandar Raza 51, Craig Ervine 34; Shakib Al Hasan 6 for 59) & 114 (Brendan Taylor 45*) lost to Bangladesh 254( Mushifiqur Rahim 64; Tinashe Panyangara 5 for 59) & 101 for 7 (Mushfiqur Rahim 21; Elton Chigumbura 4 for 21) by 3 wickets.
Man of the Match: Taijul Islam
(Indrajit Dutta is a reporter with CricketCountry. He is also a published poet and author. His Twitter handle is @duttaindro)
