Sports Reporter :
Bangladesh beat Zimbabwe by an innings and 106 runs in the lone Test cricket match on the fourth day at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in the city’s Mirpur on Tuesday.
Electing to bat first, Zimbabwe scored 265 in the first innings on the second day (Sunday). Skipper Craig Ervine hit a sparkle 107, while Prince Masvaure made 64.
Nayeem Hasan and Abu Jayed captured four wickets each for 70 and 71 runs respectively.
Bangladesh declared their first innings after making a mammoth total of 560 runs for the loss of six wickets on the third day (Monday). Ace batsman Mushfiqur Rahim notched up a 203 (not out), while Mominul Haque scored a captain’s knock of 132. Mushfiqur Rahim was adjudged the Man of the Match for his terrific innings.
Zimbabwe were shot out for just 189 runs in the second innings on the fourth day.
Zimbabwe resumed their second innings with the overnight score of nine runs for the loss of two wickets.
Kevin Kasuza and Brendan Taylor resumed their second innings with the overnight score of eight runs and one run respectively.
Bangladesh bowlers totally dominated Zimbabwe batsmen on the fourth day.
Right-arm spinner Nayeem Hasan captured five wickets at the cost of 82 runs, while left-arm spinner Taijul Islam claimed four wickets instead of 78 runs.
Kevin Kasuza could add two runs only on the second day as he (10) was caught at the second slip by Mohammad Mithun off Taijul Islam when the visitors’ total was 15 for the loss of three wickets.
Brendan Taylor (17) was caught by Taijul Islam off Nayeem when Zimbabwe’s score was 44 for the loss of four wickets.
Third-down Craig Ervine and fourth-down Sikandar Raza fought back against the spin attack of Bangladesh. They put on together 60 runs for the fifth wicket partnership before Craig Ervine was run out by a direct throw of Mominul Haque when Zimbabwe’s total was 104 for the loss of five wickets.
Ervine hit the day’s highest of 43. His 49-ball innings saw six fours and a sixer.
After Ervine’s dismissal, Sikandar Raza was caught at the mid-wicket by Mushfiqur Rahim off Taijul Islam when Zimbabwe’s score was 121 for the loss of six wickets.
Raza made 37 from 71 balls featuring three fours and a six.
After Raza’s departure, Timysen Maruma and Regis Chakabva added together 44 runs in the seven-wicket stand before Chakabva (18) was caught at the mid-on by Tamim Iqbal off Taijul Islam when Zimbabwe’s total was 165 for the loss of seven wickets.
After dismissal of Chakabva, Zimbabwe batsmen failed to make any notable partnership.
Number-9 batsman Ainsley Ndlovu (4) was trapped leg before wicket by Nayeem Hasan when the tourists’ score was 170 for the loss of eight wickets.
Mauma was caught at the mid-off Tamim Iqbal off Nayeem Hasan when the visitors’ total was 181 for the loss of nine wickets.
Maruma scored 41 from 52 deliveries with five fours.
No-10 batsman Charlton Tshuma (3) was trapped leg before wicket by Taijul Islam when Zimbabwe’s second innings came to an end.
