Day 5: Zimbabwe victorious in comeback Test
Zimbabwe marked their return to the domain of test cricket after a six year hiatus in style, overcoming Bangladesh comfortably by 130 runs shortly after Lunch on the last day at Harare. The visitors needed to survive a full day but Zimbabwe seamers were too hot to handle for the out-of-sorts batsmen, five wickets in the morning session sealed the fate of the match. Pacers Kyle Jarvis and Chris Mpofu were the heroes taking seven second innings wickets between them. Not to forget a superb ton by skipper Brendon Taylor yesterday that set-up the win.
The day began with Bangladesh in dire need of a partnership in order to pursue their last day target of 263 with seven wickets in hand or grind throughout the day for a draw. Experienced hand Mohammad Ashraful was their main hope especially after he had showed tremendous concentration in the first innings. He along with the other overnight batsman Mushfiqur Rahim foiled the impressive fast bowling pair of Jarvis and Vitori with good shot selection. The duo were keen to leave the good-length stuff outside off, Ashraful, however, took full toll on anything pitched up.
The Zimbabwe bowlers were finally rewarded for being consistently on the spot; danger man Ashraful inside edged an in swinger from Vitori on to his stumps. Though, Mushfiqur tried his level best to stay at the crease, new batsman Mahmadullah did not last long. With half the Bangladesh team back in the pavilion, the hosts moved in for the kill. Captain Shakib had only himself to blame for playing a lose shot on a delivery that could easily have been left alone and when Mushfiqur too perished soon after, the game was all but lost. Four wickets had gone down for just 34 runs.
At 7 for 174 and still about half an hour to go, the game was heading for a close well before the Lunch break but Abdur Razzaq decided to have some fun with the bat after failing to make an impact with the ball. He briefly entertained the crowd eagerly waiting for victory of the home team with a 28 ball 43. The blitz consisted of five fours off a Mpofu over and three sixes off the bowling of spinner Ray Price. The fireworks ended when Chigumbura castled his stumps to take Zimbabwe into the break just two wickets away from a remarkable triumph.
After Lunch, the Bangladesh resistance lasted just 15 balls, Jarvis got through the defenses of Shafiul with the very first delivery. When Robiul was struck in front of the stumps, the umpire’s finger went up and the entire team that had to endure the pain of remaining away from game’s highest level for six long years broke into emotional celebrations. As for the visitors, a below par batting show in both the innings cost them the match.
Day 4: Bulletin on next page
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