Sports Reporter :
Ace batsman Mushfiqur Rahim hit double century and skipper Mominul Haque made century as Bangladesh Cricket team totally took in commanding position in the lone Test match against Zimbabwe Cricket team after declared their first innings making a mammoth total of 560 for the loss of six wickets on the third day at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in the city’s Mirpur on Monday.
Earlier, Zimbabwe were all out for 265 in the first innings on the second day (Sunday).
Later, Zimbabwe were at the stumps at nine for the loss of two wickets.
Bangladesh have now 286 runs lead. Bangladesh are now on the brink of victory.
Bangladesh resumed their first innings with the over-night score of 240 for the loss of three wickets. Mominul Haque amd Mushfiqur Rahim resumed their first innings with the over-night score of 79 and 32 runs respectively.
Mominul Haque and Mushfiqur Rahim put on together 222 runs for the fourth wicket partnership before Mominul Haque was caught & bowled by Ainsley Ndlovu when Bangladesh’s score was 394 for the loss of four wickets.
Mominul Haque hit a captain’s knock of 132. His 234-ball innings was decorated with 14 fours. It was Mominul Haque’s ninth century in Test cricket. Mominul fulfilled his century using 156 balls with 12 fours.
Mushfiqur Rahim remained unbeaten with 203. He hit 28 fours in his 318-ball outstanding innings. Mushfiqur reached his 200-run land-mark capitalizing 315 deliveries. It was Mushfiqur’s third double century in Test cricket.
After Mominul’s dismissal, Mohammad Mithun arrived at the crease but he (17) was caught behind by wicketkeeper Regis Chakabva off Ainsley Ndlovu when the hosts’ total was 421 for the loss of five wickets.
Then Mushfiqur Rahim and Liton Das built another worthy partnership. They put on together 111 runs in the sixth wicket stand before Liton Das was caught behind by Chakabva off Sikandar Raza when the home side’s score was 532 for the loss of six wickets.
Liton Das hit a patient 53. He hit five fours in his 95-ball knock. It was Liton’s fifth half-century in Test cricket.
Taijul Islam remained unbeaten with 14 runs.
Ainsley Ndlovu was his team’s most successful bowler on the third day. He got two wickets conceding 170 runs.
Besides, Sikandar Raza took one wicket for 111 runs.
Later, Zimbabwe faced an early debacle. Nayeem Hasan gave his team early breakthrough as opener Prince Masvaure was bowled out by right-arm spinner for a duck when Zimbabwe failed to open their account.
Then Donald Tripano (0) was caught behind by wicketkeeper Liton Das off Nayeem Hasan when Zimbabwe’s score was zero.
Kevin Kasuza and Brendan Taylor were eight and one run respectively before the bails were drawn for the third day.
Nayeem Hasan picked up two wickets at the cost of four runs.
