Sports Reporter :
Bangladesh whitewashed Zimbabwe 3-0 in the three-match Test-series when the Tigers composed a massive 186-run victory over their African counterpart in the fifth and final day of the third Test at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chittagong on Sunday.
Earlier, Bangladesh also registered a narrow three-wicket win over Zimbabwe in the first Test at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Dhaka.
Bangladesh recorded a massive 162-run victory over Zimbabwe in the second Test at the Sheikh Abu Naser Stadium in Khulna.
Electing to bat first, Bangladesh piled up a mammoth 503 in the first innings on the second day (Thursday).
In reply, Zimbabwe made 374 in the first innings on the third day (Friday).
Later, Bangladesh declared their second innings making 319 for the loss of five wickets on the fourth day (Saturday) and set a target of 449 runs for their counterpart to win in the second innings.
Zimbabwe, however were bundled out for 262.
Zimbabwe scored 71 for the loss of one wicket before the bails were drawn for the fourth day.
Sikandar Raza and Hamilton Masakadza resumed their second innings with the over-night score of 43 and 26 runs respectively.
Hamilton Masakadza could add 12 more runs on the fifth day and was caught behind by Mushfiqur Rahim off Shuvagata Hom when Zimbabwe’s score was 97 for the loss of two wickets. Then Sikandar Raza was caught at the deep mid-wicket by Taijul Islam off Shuvagata Hom when the tourists total was 116 for the loss of three wickets.
Sikandar Raza hit a fine 65 from 75 balls with nine fours and two sixers.
After dismissal of Sikandar Raza, Regis Chakabva was the only batsman who fought against Bangladesh bowling attack.
Chakabva remained unbeaten with 89 off 181 balls. He hit seven fours and a six in his painstaking 208-minute knock.
After dismissal of Sikandar Raza, Bangladesh pacers and spinners totally dominated over the African batsmen.
Leg-spinner Jubair Hossain removed Brendan Taylor for 24 and Elton Chigumbura for just five runs. Off-spinner Mahmudullah Riyad dismissed Craig Ervine for 16. Spinner Taijul Islam harpooned the wicket of Richmond Mutumbami for 2. Pacer Rubel Hossain dismissed Tinashe Panyangara for 2.
Pacer Shafiul Islam cleanly bowled out Shingi Masakadza for naught.
Shafiul put the last nail on Zimbabwe’s coffin when number eleven batsman Natsai M’shangwe was trapped leg before wicket by the pacer before he could open his account.
Rubel Hossain, Shafiul Islam, Jubair Hossain, Shuvagata Hom bagged a pair of wickets each at the cost of 16, 17, 56 and 66 runs respectively.
Mahmudullah Riyad and Taijul Islam took one wicket apiece.
Mominul Haque was adjudged the Man of the Match for his outstanding batting performance.
Shakib Al Hasan was adjudged the Player of the Series for his consistent, all-round performance.
President Abdul Hamid congratulated Bangladesh Cricket team on their first three-match Test series victory against Zimbabwe.
In a message on Sunday, the President expressed the hope that the team would maintain the winning trend in future.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Sunday greeted the Bangladesh Cricket team for their Test series victory against visiting Zimbabwe.
She hopes that the trend of Bangladesh’s victory will continue and further advance by crossing all hurdles.
Speaker of National Parliament Shirin Sharmin Chowdhury, Deputy Speaker of National Parliament Md Fazle Rabbi Miah, Chief Whip of Bangladesh National Parliament ASM Feroz congratulated Bangladesh Cricket team in a joint-message, issued on Sunday.
Meanwhile, BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia in a separate message on Sunday hailed Bangladesh Cricket team for their success against Zimbabwe.
