Lackluster batting approach put the Tigers in massive trouble
||CF Correspondent||
A lackluster batting approach saw Bangladesh struggling at 74-5 at tea on the second day of the first Test against Zimbabwe at Sylhet International Cricket Stadium on Sunday.
Zimbabwe fast bowler Tendai Chatara was the wrecker-in-chief, claiming 3-9 in a devastating opening spell but he was heavily benefitted by the Bangladeshi batsmen’s wretched shot.
Pace bowler Kyle Jarvis (1-11) and off-spinner Sikandar Raza (1-9) gave Chatara an apt support to keep the side in line of a big lead.
Zimbabwe was bowled out for 282, after resuming the day on 236-5.
What Jarvis and Chatara did was to persist with a good line and length, making batsmen error in a pitch that didn’t offer movement much.
Chatara began the damage by dismissing Imrul Kayes for 5 as he made him doing mistakes, just bowling outside off consistently.
If Kayes was dismissed for his lack of application, Liton Das perished to a loose shot against Jarvis to fall for 9.
Chatara then left Bangladesh in clueless state, dealing a double strike to remove Nazmul Hossain (5), and captain Mahmudullah (0) in a gem of fast bowling.
Nazmul Hossain Shanto was panicked by the slight movement but Mahmudullah got a beautiful delivery to drag the ball on to his stump, even though he could use his feet well.
Mushfiqur Rahim and Mominul Haque had a brief resistance before Raza got the better of the latter (11) with a beautiful off-break.
Mushfiqur was unbeaten on 27 with debutant Ariful Haque, 9 not out during the second interval of the day.
Earlier, left-arm spinner Taijul Islam caught Zimbabwe in spin-web to claim 6-108, his fourth career five-for and was instrumental in breaking Zimbabwe’s resistance after they appeared set to propel the team past 300.
With Peter Moor showing impeccable defense in defying the spinners along with Regis Chakabva, Taijul caused the damage, forcing the visitors’ loss last five wicket for just 21 runs.
Moor left stranded on 63 off 192, hitting six fours.
Taijul took the four of Zimbabwe’s last five wickets, sandwiched by Nazmul Apu’s one scalp.
Taijul, who holds the record of Bangladesh’s best bowling in an innings (8-39), that also came against the same opponent, broke through with the wicket of Chakabva for 28, breaking the stubborn 60-run partnership between him and Moor.
He then took the wicket of Weillington Masakadza for 4 before Nazmul Apu got the better of debutant Brandon Mavuta (3).
Taijul then took two wickets in consecutive deliveries to dismiss Kyle Jarvis (4) and Tendai Chatara (0) to sit on a hat-trick. If he can take wicket in his first ball of the second innings, he would get the chance to add a Test hat-trick with his ODI hat-trick that came on his debut match against Zimbabwe.
As the lower order was not capable enough to deal with Taijul, Zimbabwe left Bangladesh one over to play before the lunch of the second day of.
Taijul’s effort was complemented by fellow left-arm spinner Nazmul Islam 2-49.
