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.
\nWith 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.
\nBangladesh will be chasing their total in the fourth innings meaning whatever the target they are to set will be hard to achieve.
\nZimbabwean 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.
\n\u2018If it goes to the fifth day we might be in trouble,\u2019 Bangladesh batsman Mahmudullah admitted after the second day\u2019s play at Mirpur on Sunday.
\n\u2018We 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.
\n\u2018So 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.
\n\u2018We will try our best to restrict them to as less as possible. It might be 150 or 200 runs,\u2019 he added.
\nMahmudullah 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.
\nBatsmen Mominul Haque (53), Mahmudullah(63) himself and Mushfiqur Rahim (64) made half-centuries, and looked mostly untroubled by Zimbabwe\u2019s bowlers, but none of them carried on to get a substantial score.
\nBangladesh\u2019s 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.
\n\u2018I thought the wicket was really good today, even though they bowled in good areas,\u2019 said Mahmudullah
\n\u2018Considering the wicket and the conditions, we should have done well. It wasn\u2019t spinning or bouncing. We should have batted with a lot more patience, especially those who scored 50s.
\n\u2018There were problems in shot making and decision making and we need to be more careful in these areas,\u2019 added.<\/p>\n

-With New Age<\/strong> input<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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 … Read more<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_editorskit_title_hidden":false,"_editorskit_reading_time":0,"_editorskit_is_block_options_detached":false,"_editorskit_block_options_position":"{}","footnotes":""},"categories":[32],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"\n