Tigers sniff a victory in 2nd Test after setting Zimbabwe a record chase
Photo: Collected
CF Correspondent
Bangladesh took a giant stride in winning the second Test against Zimbabwe, reducing the visitors to 76-2 on day four at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium on Wednesday.
Zimbabwe still requires 367 runs or to survive a full day to win its first every Test series victory since 2011, after the hosts set an improbable target of 443 runs.
Bangladesh skipper Mahmudullah was instrumental in leaving Zimbabwe a record chase, hitting his second century and first after eight years as the hosts declared the second innings on 224-6.
Mahmudullah who completed his century in the last ball before the Tea session was not out on 101 and shared two important partnerships to take the side on the verge of winning the Test and draw the series. Bangladesh lost the first Test by 151 runs.
Despite a lead of 218 runs, dismissing Zimbabwe for 304 in its first innings on day three, Bangladesh decided not to enforce follow-on.
But Zimbabwe fast bowlers Kyle Jarvis (2-27) and Donald Tiripano (2-31) rocked the top order in a sensational fast bowling to leave the hosts at precarious 25-4.
Jarvis swung the ball in admirable fashion to remove both openers Imrul Kyaes (3) and Liton Das (9) in three deliveries in the fifth over of the day.
Tiripano who shared the new ball in absence of injured Tendai Chatara was equally impressive and Mominul Haque (1) and Mushfiqur Rahim (7), the centurion and the double centurion of the first innings, perished to loose shots.
With Zimbabwe raising the hopes to hit back to the game, Mithun and Mahmudullah resisted further damage to keep the side on course of a sizeable lead.
The duo combined for a 118-run partnership for the fifth wicket to restore its dominance.
Offspinner Sikandar Raza removed Mithun for 67, his maiden fifty in his maiden test following 0 in the first innings.
Left-arm spinner Sean Williams dismissed Ariful Haque (4) cheaply but Mahmudullah and Mehidy Hasan (27 not out) shared 73 off 70 balls in an unbroken seventh wicket partnership to set an improbable target for the visitors.
Zimbabwe’s highest successful chase in the fourth innings is 162 against Pakistan at Peshowar in 1998.
The tourists made a decent start with skipper Hamilton Masakadza and Brian Chari sharing 68 runs.
Offspinner Mehidy Hasan (1-16) gave Bangladesh the first breakthrough after Masakadza spooned a catch at short-leg for 25.
Two overs later left-arm spinner Taijul Islam (1-34) dismissed well-set Brian Chari (43) who tried to paddle sweep against a turning delivery. Chari reviewed in vain.
Brendan Taylor (4) and Sean Williams (2) were batting before the fourth day’s game came to an end.
West Indies’ 418 against Australia remains the highest successful chase in the fourth innings.
