Left-arm spinner Saqlain Sajib created a record by taking nine wickets as Bangladesh A team dismissed their Zimbabwean counterparts for 204 in 74.1 overs on the opening day of the four-day match at the Cox’s Bazar stadium on Sunday. In reply, opener Liton Kumar and Sadman Anik made a solid start for the hosts with 30-0 when the stumps were drawn for the first day. Saqlain, a seasoned domestic campaigner, looked to be in a marauding mood that left the opposition batsmen clueless in front of his sharp turn, coupled with spot-on line and length that enabled him to reach the milestone.
His 9-82 in 31.1overs is now the best bowling figure in an innings by any Bangladeshi bowler in a first-class match as he eclipsed Enamul Haque Jr’s 7-87 against the same opponents at Bulawayo in 2005.
‘I just concentrated on bowling in the right areas,’ Saqlain told reporters.
‘I am only focused on my performance at the moment and don’t want to waste my energy emphasising on anything else,’ said Saqlain.
‘If there is a scope and the selectors feel that I deserve a chance then I will probably play in the national team. But at the moment all my focus is on putting up an impressive show in this series.’
Saqlain, who was regarded as a very dangerous bowler until he lost some of his magic since his horrible collision with team-mate Mushfiqur Rahim in a domestic match in 2012, also feels that he is growing with time.
‘It was quite dreadful. Though it is a thing of the past, still at times it comes back to my memory,’ said Saqlain.
‘Although now I am a different kind of a bowler altogether,’ he added
Zimbabwean skipper Vusi Sibanda scored 62 runs while wicketkeeper Regis Chakabwa scored 64 runs to help the visitors put a decent score on the board.
-With New Age input
