Sakib al Hasan and Mushfiqur Rahim shared an 84-run partnership to bring Bangladesh back on track after some substandard umpiring had threatened to derail their second innings in
the second Test against Zimbabwe in Harare on Saturday.
Sakib got out for 59 runs after scoring his second fifty in the match but Mushfiq remained solid with 50 not out, having achieved a similar feat, as Bangladesh’s lead soared to 272, raising a hope for a series-leveling win.
Pace bowler Robiul Islam picked up his second five-wicket haul in as many matches to help Bangladesh gain a 109-run lead on the first innings, but some poor umpiring decisions almost ruined the advantage as the Tigers soon found themselves at 3-18 in their second innings.
Opener Tamim Iqbal and one-down Mohammad Ashraful were both victims of poor umpiring decisions by Tony Hill and Ian Gould respectively to put the host in all sorts of trouble.
Tamim (seven) was stunned when he was given caught behind to a short delivery of Shingi Mazakadza that hardly touched his bat while Ashraful (four) was upset having been judged leg-before to an in-winging delivery that was going down the leg.
In between Jahirul (two) also could not provide any substantial support to leave the tourists tottering before Sakib al Hasan and Mominul Haque (29) provided the first resistance adding 47 runs for the fourth wicket.
But the Tigers started trembling again once Mominul stretched forward to drive a fuller length delivery offered by Masakadza to give a catch behind the stumps.
Mushfiq joined Sakib to steady the innings though the latter always lived dangerously. The former captain ultimately paid the price for his over adventurous shots as he was caught behind after chasing a wide delivery from Hamilton Mazakadza for 59 off 104 balls that included five boundaries.
Earlier, Robiul made a good use of second new ball to break the resilience of Elton Chigumbura, who threatened to take the game away from Bangladesh’s grip with 86 from 111 balls.
He added two more wickets to his tally, becoming only first fast bowler from Bangladesh to take five or more wickets in consecutive Test matches.
Robiul, who finished with 5-85, received a fine support from off-spinner Sohag Gazi, who broke Chigumbura’s dogged overnight partnership with Malcolm Waller (32) earlier in the morning before they made too much damage.
Chigumbura hardly looked troubled as he picked up his second Test half-century and along with Mutumbami (42) added 85 runs for the sixth wicket to frustrate Bangladesh for a long period.
Robiul trapped Mutumbami in front and soon gave Bangladesh a great relief by sending back Chigumbura on the stroke of lunch break with Zimbabwe struggling on 257-7.
Robiul completed his five-wicket haul by removing Mazakadza and Sohag had Kyle Jervis bowled as Bangladesh dismissed Zimbabwe for 282 runs.
BRIEF SCORES
At close, Day Three
Bangladesh 391 all out & 163-5 ( Sakib al Hasan 59, Mushfiqur Rahim 50 not out, Mominul Haque 29; S
Masakadza 3-33) Zimbabwe 282 all out ( E Chigumbura 86, R Mutumbami 42, M Waller 32; Robiul Islam 5-85,
Sohag Gazi 4-59)
Bangladesh lead Zimbabwe by 272 runs
-With New Age input
