Though Bangladesh took a slim lead against Zimbabwe in the first innings of the first Test to leave the game on par in plain terms, one does not need to be an expert to see the advantage Zimbabwe gained after the first two days of play. The visitors shot Bangladesh out for 254 runs to keep their lead limited to 14 runs and whipped out some of it reaching five for no loss at stumps on the second day.
With the pitch wearing gradually, it is expected to play a part in the next course of the Test match, making the prospect of a result all but certain.
Bangladesh will be chasing their total in the fourth innings meaning whatever the target they are to set will be hard to achieve.
Zimbabwean batsmen would be eager to make it even harder for them considering the bowlers had already backed them by not letting Tigers take a firm grip in the match.
‘If it goes to the fifth day we might be in trouble,’ Bangladesh batsman Mahmudullah admitted after the second day’s play at Mirpur on Sunday.
‘We are neither cautious nor relieved. We are concerned. Everyone knows that if the lead becomes a lot in the fourth innings than it will be difficult for us.
‘So we will try to make it as easy as possible for the batsmen. Bowlers and fielders have a big role as we need to take all the chances and back it up with good bowling.
‘We will try our best to restrict them to as less as possible. It might be 150 or 200 runs,’ he added.
Mahmudullah blamed the casual approach of the batsmen for not being able to cash on the hard work as they were bundled out for less than what they had expected after resuming at 27-1.
Batsmen Mominul Haque (53), Mahmudullah(63) himself and Mushfiqur Rahim (64) made half-centuries, and looked mostly untroubled by Zimbabwe’s bowlers, but none of them carried on to get a substantial score.
Bangladesh’s innings featured three run outs while others paid the price of valuing their wickets cheaply trying to accumulate runs with unnecessary shots to give the tourists some confidence boost for next the three days.
‘I thought the wicket was really good today, even though they bowled in good areas,’ said Mahmudullah
‘Considering the wicket and the conditions, we should have done well. It wasn’t spinning or bouncing. We should have batted with a lot more patience, especially those who scored 50s.
‘There were problems in shot making and decision making and we need to be more careful in these areas,’ added.
-With New Age input
