DHAKA, Nov 14, 2018 (BSS)- A captaincy knock ton came from the bat of
Mahmudullah saw Bangladesh are in driving seat as Zimbabwe lost their both
openers early to chase the winning target of 443-runs on the fourth day of
the second and final Test at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium at Mirpur
on Wednesday.
It will be an uphill task for the visitors as they finished the day
scoring their second innings at 76 for 2 with Brendon Taylor and Sean
Williams were on the crease.
The visitors still need 367 more runs to win the match while Bangladesh
need eight more wickets to level the series on the fifth and final day of the
game.
Earlier, having dropped Hamilton Masakadza, Mehedi Miraz amended his
mistake to claim the wicket of Zimbabwe skipper Masakadza (25) to break the
opening partnership.
Following the wicket of Masakadza, Brian Chari (43) also departed from the
crease as he perished to Taijul Islam after both the Tigers’ spinners made
inroad on Zimbabwe batting lineup before close of the fourth day’s play.
The two openers had played out 22 overs of the third session of the fourth
day to give their side a realistic chance of drawing the match — a result
which would seal the series 1-0 in their favour.
Both openers were earlier dropped by Miraz. Opener Brian Chari was dropped
in the second over off Taijul Islam’s bowling while newcomer Khaled Ahmed,
who had worked hard throughout this Test match, looking for his maiden
wicket, saw Masakadza dropped at slip by Miraz.
Mehedi Hasan and Taijul Islam took one Zimbabwe’s wicket each for 16 and
34 runs respectively. Earlier, stand-in skipper Mahmudullah Riad hit his
second century and his first after eight years to help Bangladesh set a
massive winning target of 443-run for Zimbabwe to win the second Test.
Mahmudullah who brought up his century in the last ball before tea was
unbeaten on 101, to steer Bangladesh 224-6 (dec) in its second innings,
leaving Zimbabwe a record chase in the fourth innings with four sessions to
spare in the match.
He smashed four boundaries and two over boundaries during his 122-ball
stay on the crease. During the process of century, Mahmudullah was involved
two important partnerships after Zimbabwe fast bowlers Kyle Jarvis (2-27) and
Donald Tiripano (2-31) left Bangladesh in trouble for 25 for 4.
Kyle Jarvis launched early inroad on Bangladesh innings sending both the
Tigers ‘openers early in the morning. Opener Imrul Kayes was the first man to
go for 3 while Liton Das also followed the footprint of Kayes.
Mominul Haque nicked Tiripano through to Chakabva as Bangladesh were in
early trouble in the first session, losing three quick wickets.
Dependable batsman Mushfiqur Rahim, who hit an unbeaten 219 in the first
innings, lost his wicket too scoring only seven runs before perished to
Tiripono, leaving Bangladesh in deep trouble.
Mahmudullah and Mohammad Mithun then came to a rescue act with a
responsible 198-run fifth wicket stand to bring back Bangladesh in match Off
spinner Sikandar Raza brike the stubborn partnership removing Mithun for 67,
after his maiden Test 50 following 0 in the first innings. Left-arm spinner
Sean Williams dismissed Ariful Haque (4) cheaply but Mahmudullah and Mehidy
Hasan shared 73 off 70 balls in an unbroken seventh wicket partnership to set
an improbable target for the visitors.
Earlier, back with 218 runs first innings lead after dismissing Zimbabwe
their first innings at 304, Bangladesh decided not to enforce Zimbabwe a
follow-on on the fourth day.
Brief score:
Bangladesh first innings – 522 for 7(dec), Mushfiqur 219 n.o, Mominul 161,
Mehidy 68 n.o, Mahmudullah 36, Jarvis 5/71, Chatara 1/34 and Tiripano 1/65
Second innings – 224 for 6 (dec.), Mahmudullah 101 (batting), Mithun 67,
Mehidy 27 (batting), Jarvis 2/27, Tiripono 2/31
Zimbabwe first innings – 304 for all, Taylor 110, Moor 83, Chari 53,
Masakadza 14, Taijul 5/107 and Mehidy 3/61
Second innings – 76 for 2, Chari 43, Masakadza 25, Taylor 4 (batting),
Williams 2 (batting), Mehidy 1/16 and Taijul 1/34.