Finally a huge win by 39 runs cooled the wrecking nerves of team tigers.They are relived qualifying for the final against Afghanistan with a match at hand. Given the opportunity of batting first on a flat wicket and producing aggressive batting (Mahmudulllah 62 in 41, Liton 38 in 22 and Mushfique 32 in 26) desperate Bangladesh produced a challenging score of 175/7. Bangladesh for a change bowled brilliantly with Shafiul (3/36) and debutant leggie Aminul Islam (2/18) leading the attack and crushing the tourist to 136 all out. A huge win by desperate Bangladesh served oxygen to its cause. Whatever be the result in the remaining two group stage matches, Bangladesh qualified for the final.
We know there are questions to be asked. Why Zimbabwe let Bangladesh batting first on a flat wicket after winning the toss? Why the wicket taking pace bowler Tendai Chattara was rested for the match? But not taking away any credit due to the devils, we must acknowledge that a very positive Bangladesh outfit batted, bowled and fielded exceedingly well. At half way through the tourist’s thought 176 as a chase able target specially considering the heavy dew. But when a team looses 6 wickets for only 44 within the first 10 overs in a chase against a desperate home team it usually cannot win. However, a late rally by Mutumbami blasting 54 in 32 deliveries and a 58 runs 8th wicket partnership could only reduce the margin of defeat to 39 runs. Losing three matches already, the mission of Zimbabwe in the tournament is all but over. However, this window of opportunity offered by BCB for participating in the tournament would serve them world of good for their cricket. They would move to Singapore after another match with Afghanistan today to participate in yet another tri-nation tournament featuring two emerging nations Singapore and Nepal.
OBHAI Tri Nation T20 series 4th Match Played at ZAC Stadium, Chattogram on 18 September 2019
Bangladesh vs Zimbabwe
Brief Scorecard : Bangladesh 175/7 ( Mahmudullah Raid 62, Liton K Das 38 , Mushfiqur Rahim 32, KM Jarvis 3/32, CB Mpofu 2/42) beat Zimbabwe 136 all out ( CT Mutubami 54 ,KM Jarvis 27, H Masakadza 25, Shafiul 3/36, Aminul Islam 2/18, MustafizurRahman 2/38) by 39 runs
Player of the Match: Mahmudullah Riyad
Bangladesh in desperate bid for winning the match made three changes for the match letting Nazmul Hossain Shanto and rookie leg spinning all rounder Aminul Islam Biplob debut. Experienced pacer Shafiul Islam was also recalled. ZAC wicket looked like a flat wicket. Still for reasons best known to Masakadza he opted to field first. Many thought putting up a score batting first Zimbabwe could exert additional pressure to low morale desperate Bangladesh. Perhaps dew factor was in his mind. It was not understood why the tourists rested their wicket taking pacer TendaiChattara for the match. The above two decision definitely came to Bangladesh favor.
Bangladesh let debutant Nazmul Shanto who is considered better batsman in longer version failed to capitalize the opportunity coming to open the innings with Liton. Liton started with flamboyance and arrogance. His free stroking 38 in 22 deliveries punctuated with 4 fours and 2 sixes raised the morale of Bangladesh camp. Shanto (11) and Shakib (10) got out quick. Shanto fell to a return catch to Jarvis. Shakib looking like a shadow of his self could be given out first ball feathering a touch to the keeper. But none appealed. But he did not survive long skying a catch to Williams in the deep off the bowling of Burl. Two tried and tested Bangladesh batting stars Mahmudullah and Mushfiq producing the best added 78 valuable runs for the 4th wicket. Mahmudullah was in his punishing mood belting as many as 5 sixes and a boundary in his innings of 62. Mushfiq produced his best innings after two earlier failures in the series striking 3 fours and a six in his 25 balls 32. Bangladesh was well placed at 4/143 in the 17th over to post a score of about 190 plus. But first match heroes Affif and Mosaddek failed repeating their heroics. Bangladesh innings proceeded up to 175/7 by their allotted overs. Jarvis was the pick of the bowlers with 3/32. Chattara was definitely missed.
Zimbabwe response got a jolt when Saifuddin and Shakib removed Taylor and Chakava for “0” in their respective first over reducing them to 2/2. Shafiul and Aminul were introduced to the attack. They responded brilliantly. Shafiul got rid of Williams (2) and Burl ( 1). Debutant leggie Aminul got his maiden scalp having Mutombodzi (11) caught by NazmulShanto. Aminul in this spell also got the prized wicket of Masakadza. Reduced to 6/44 by the 9th over the fate of the match was well written for the tourists. Their cause got further blow when Madziva was run out making it 7/ 66 by the 13th over. Mutumbami and Jarvis coming together had only one option left to bat positively and reduce the margin of defeat. Bangladesh ran out of option. Shakib and Mustafiz are the two leading bowlers who usullay mop up the tail. But the two Zimbabwean at the wicket together produced the only bright moments of the game adding 70 runs for the 8th wicket before Mustafiz and Shafiur wrapped up the innings for 136. To the sigh of relief of Bangladesh camp and its admirers Bangladesh won big by 39 runs for setting a date with Afghanistan at SBNCS on September 24 come what may in the remaining two group matches involving Afghanistan.
A win is a win. As always it serves good for a teams morale. Hope Bangladesh builds on the positives from the match. Opening partnership is still a problem. Shakib is not at his brilliant best. Getting a wicket leggie in Bangladesh attack is huge bonus. Hope he would be handled with care. Bangladesh must explore why they could not wrap up Zimbabwe innings quicker from 7/66? For playing against stronger teams these loose knots need to be tightened.
A win is a win. Bangladesh gets time to plan it strategy against Afghanistan for their next match and for the final. Good to see Mahmudullah back in form. Hope Mushfiq would go stronger and stronger from here. Shakib desperately needs getting back to his best with bat and ball soon. Saifuddin, Shafiul looked good. Debutant Aminul looked fearless tossing up the ball and releasing to a good loop. Sky is his limit if he can hold his nerve. He must watch closely Rashid Khan today and if possible take some tips. Mustafiz taking 2/38 became the second Bangladesh bowler after Shakib getting 50 wickets in T20. He appears to be struggling a bit getting his radars right.
BDST: 0911 HRS, SEP 19, 2019
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