Sports Reporter :
Bangladesh are in the commanding position when they scored 284 runs for the loss of one wicket in the second innings (declared) against Zimbabwe on the fourth day of the lone Test match at Harare Sports Club Ground in Zimbabwe on Saturday.
In reply, Zimbabwe were tottering at 140 for the loss of three wickets in the second innings before the bails were drawn for the fourth day.
Earlier, the tourists piled up a mammoth total of 468 in the first innings on the second day (Thursday).
Later, the hosts were dismissed for 276 in their first innings on the third day (Friday).
Bangladesh have now a 336-run lead and they have already removed three wickets of their opponents.
The visitors resumed their second innings with the overnight score of 45 for the loss of none.
Openers Shadman Islam and Saif Hassan resumed their second innings with the overnight score of 22 and 28 runs respectively.
They put on together 43 runs more on the fourth day (Saturday) before Saif Hassan was caught at the gully by Dion Myers off Richard Ngrava when Bangladesh’s total was 88 for the loss of one wicket.
Saif made 43 from 95 balls featuring six fours.
After Saif’s departure, Shadman Islam and Najmul Hossain Shanto played a wonderful role to put Bangladesh in a commanding position.
Shanto and Shadman contributed together 196 runs for the unbroken second wicket partnership.
Shanto remained unbeaten with 117 runs. He hit six massive sixes and five fours in his 118-ball terrific innings. Shanto reached his second 100-run landmark using 109 deliveries including five fours and four sixes.
Shadman Islam remained unbeaten with 115. He hit nine fours in his 196-ball calm innings. Shadman reached his maiden 100-run landmark playing 180 balls including eight fours.
Later, Captain of Bangladesh team Mominul Haque declared their second innings after the tourists’ made 284 for the loss of one wicket and set a target of 477 runs to win for Zimbabwe in the second innings.
Zimbabwe had a shaky start as opener Milton Shumba (11) was caught at the slip by substitute Yasir Ali off pacer Taskin Ahmed when Zimbabwe’s score was only 15.
Opener Takudzwanashe Kaitano and one-down Brendan Taylor mended their innings contributing together 95 runs in the second wicket stand before Brendan Taylor was caught & bowled by Mehidy Hasan Miraz when the hosts’ total was 110 for the loss of two wickets.
Taylor was a victim of nervous nineties. He missed his century for just eight runs.
He struck a superb 92 from 73 deliveries including 16 fours.
After Taylor’s dismissal, opener Kaitano (7) was trapped leg before wicket by Shakib Al Hasan when the home side’s score was 132 for the loss of three wickets.
Dion Myers and Donald Tiripano were at the crease on 18 and seven runs respectively before the bails were drawn for
Shakib Al Hasan, Taskin Ahmed and Mehidy Hasan Miraz took one wicket each for 23, 39 and 45 runs respectively.
