Bangladesh Vs Zimbabwe Second Test Played at SBNCS Dhaka
Brief Score Card at Stumps of Day Two:
Bangladesh 522 /7 Declared (Mushfiqur Rahim 219*, Mominul Haq 161, Mehedy Miraj 68*, Mahmudullah Raid 36, Kyle Jarvis 5/71) Zimbabwe 25/1 (Hamilton Masakadza 14, Brain Chari 10*, Taijul Islam 1/ 5)
Bangladesh little master Mushfiqur Rahim added few feathers to his crown. Scoring 219* not out he added a new page to the history of test cricket being the first and only batsman scoring two double hundreds in test cricket. Kuamara Shangrakara scored more but not while keeping wickets. Mushfique is now the highest scorer of Bangladesh in test eclipsing the 217 scored by Shakib Al Hasan. He scored the first and only double hundred in test in 2018. He featured in two record setting partnership for Bangladesh 266 with Mominul for 4th wicket and unbroken 144 with Mehedy Miraj for the 8th wicket.
The highest run 226 scored by Azhar Ali of Pakistan at SBNCS Meerpoor was well within his reach. Perhaps neither Mahmudullah nor Mushfique was aware of it when Bangladesh declared at 522 for 7. Anyway Bangladesh could reduce Zimabawe to 25/1. Taijul removed Zimbabwe Cpatain Hamilton Masakadaza for 14. The visitors need to bat out of their skin to save the test. An uphill task as batting gets increasingly difficult at SBNCS as match wears on.
Bangladesh batted for 150 overs in the innings almost 6 full sessions over two days. Would one believe that Bangladesh in none of its past 8 test innings could cross 200. The marathon innings of Mushfique of 421 balls and spanning over 9 hours at the wicket was exemplary in the sense that he never put a step wrong. It was a classic example of batting with concentration, application and patience.
The same batting unit only a weeks back scored got bundled out for 143 and 169 in two to be forgotten innings against the same bowlers in Sylhet test ?. Video footage of each batsmen batting in three innings would act as evidence what they did at Sylhet and what not in Dhaka. However, Lion and Kayes repeated the mistakes while Mominul, Mushfique, Mahmudullah and Mehedy did not. These made huge difference. All especially Mushfique and Mominul (excepting few blemish) were picture perfect. This batting should act as a great fillip for Bangladesh before all important West Indies series.
Zimbabwe in reply was 25/1 at stumps. Their captain and their main stay in batting Hamilton Masakdaza fell to a lovely drifting delivery of Taijul snapped up at slip by Mehedy Miraj. Earlier Ariful dropped a dolly off the debutant pacer Khaled in the slips. Bangladesh would press on today for packing up Zimabawe as early as possible. Batting on this wicket would get increasingly difficult as the match wears on. In the morning with a reasonably new cherry Mustafiz and Khaled would tease the batsmen for a while. The tail ender Tirpano has better batting average than opener Brian Chari. The task is well and truly cut out for the Zimbabwean batsmen. Their first target is scoring 322 for avoiding following on. With three days left in the game and sky looking cloudless it has to be only a miracle to save Zimbabwe.
Earlier on day two, Mushfique and Mahmudullah put together 62 in the first session batting carefully. But after lunch Mahmudullah fell to Jarvis who was plugging away bowling consistently at off sump corridor. Groin injury of Brian Chattara handicapped Zimababwe. The 7th wicket partnership with two M’s again put in 72 priceless runs.
Young Mehedy joined Mushfique and batted aggressively. Mehedy is also a genuine batsman. But he is yet to establish his class as a quality batsman in international level. Batting with Mushfique in this record setting partnership of 144 would give him enough confidence in future. His unbeaten 68 his second test fifty would be a Philip for him in his long career ahead. He is already a premiere spinner in all formats for Bangladesh.
One must admire Kyle Jarvis. Bowling consistently well he alone took 5 of the 7 Bangladesh wicket giving away 71 runs only. If he was supported by any other bowler from the other side it could be a different story. Jarvis has really learnt the skill of swing bowling from his experience in English county.
On 11/11 /2018 after the ANZAC day remembrance I meet with Australian Cricket Icon Rodney Marsh at Eastland Ringwood. We were discussing international cricket. Marsh was a brilliant wicket keeper batsman who kept wickets when Dennis Lille, Jeff Thomson and Max Walker were tormentors. Talking about Bangladesh cricket he could only remember Wicket Keeper Mushfique. He said I like the batting style and his exuberance behind the wicket. Wish our meeting could be today when Mushfique has set a new record as wicket keeper batsman.
In business as usual Bangladesh should win this test from here. The wicket has no venom but not easy either to bat. Odd balls are turning and bouncing. It is expected to get increasingly difficult as match progresses. If Bangladesh grabs one or two early wickets on the morning of day three Zimabawe would be under tremendous pressure as Bangladesh would go all guns blazing.
The pressure of mammoth first innings total of Bangladesh will turn unbearable. But take away nothing from brave Zimbabwe. They were handicapped with the injury of Chattara. Yet one man army Kyle Jarvis bowled brilliantly. Unfortunately spinner Sikandar Raza and Mavuta could not repeat their performance of the Sylhet Test. Circumstances alter cases.
BDST: 0917 HRS, NOV 13, 2018
SI
