Zimbabwe stumble in 2nd innings but extend lead to 317 against Bangladesh
Harare: Apr 19, 2013
Robiul Islam led Bangladesh’s fightback to reduce the hosts Zimbabwe to 62 for four in their second innings at tea on Day 3 of opening Test. But, a poor batting display by Bangladesh helped Zimbabwe to extend their overall lead to 317.
Shingi Masakadza claimed three wickets in quick succession to leave Bangladesh reeling at 134 for six at lunch on Day 3 of the first Test match against Zimbabawe at the Harare Sports Club.
Resuming their first innings at 95 for one on the third day, Bangladesh suffered batting collapse and slipped to 134 for six, trailing by 255 runs.
Shingi claimed the key wickets of Mohammad Ashraful, Shakib Al Hasan and skipper Mushfiqur Rahim in quick succession as the tourists produced a poor batting performance.
Earlier on the second day, Zimbabwe captain Brendan Taylor marked Zimbabwe‘s Independence Day with a record-breaking score, but Bangladesh’s bold reply with the bat allowed them to end Day 2 of the first Test with the initiative.
Taylor’s 171 formed the backbone in a Zimbabwean total of 389 all out, before Bangladesh responded positively to go to stumps on 95 for one with Jahurul Islam unbeaten on 38 and Mohammad Ashraful on 23 not out.
Taylor’s eight-hour epic was also the highest Test score by a Zimbabwean captain, eclipsing Andy Flower‘s 156 against Pakistan at the same Harare Sports Club venue in 1995, and the eighth best by any Zimbabwean.
Batting coach Grant Flower, who played 67 Tests for Zimbabwe and scored a double-century himself, rated Taylor’s knock as one of the finest in his country’s history.
Brief Scores: Zimbabwe 389 (Brendan Taylor 171, Malcolm Waller 55; Robiul Islam 3 for 84, Enamul Haque Jr 3 for 133) & 62 for 4 (Brendan Taylor 25*; Robiul Islam 4 for 15) lead Bangladesh 134 (Jahurul Islam 43, Mohammad Ashraful 38; Shingi Masakadza 4 for 32, Kyle Jarvis 4 for 40) by 317 runs.
(With inputs from AFP)