Middle order batting rescued Bangladesh – 2nd Test vs. Zimbabwe

Bangladesh 6-300 (Shakib Al Hasan 81, Mushfiqur Rahim 60, Elton Chigumbura 2-59) vs. Zimbabwe.

Shakib Al Hasan and Mushfiqur Rahim lifted Bangladesh with a solid fifth wicket partnership of over a hundred runs after the top order struggled vs. Zimbabwe.

Bangladesh scrabbled earlier on but their innings was stabilised later as they scored 300 runs for the loss of six wickets in 88 overs.

The second and final ODI commenced on Thursday, April 25, 2013, at Harare Sports Club.

Earlier, Brendan Taylor, the skipper of Zimbabwe, won the toss and invited Bangladesh to bat first. Tamim Iqbal and Jahurul Islam initiated the innings for the visitors and the latter was dropped at 1 by Graeme Cremer off Keegan Meth in the second over. The proceedings was slow by the batsmen and they scored 14 runs in the first six overs as Jahurul Islam added 11 in the next over with 1 four. Tamim Iqbal remained watchful at the other end and the score was taken to 44 when Jahurul Islam lost his wicket for 24 runs. The most experienced batsman Mohammad Ashraful managed just four runs and was replaced by Mominul Haque as Tamim Iqbal was put down at 24 in the 20th over.

The score board started moving after that with the assistance of a few boundaries and the first hundred of the innings appeared on board in the 29th over. The smooth going Tamim Iqbal ran himself out at 102 after contributing 49 runs with 6 fours. The all-rounder, Shakib Al Hasan, joined in with Mominul Haque as the first hit a couple of fours in the following overs. Mominul Haque was caught by Shingi Masakadza at extra cover off Elton Chigumbura for 23 as the total touched 125 in 33.3 overs.

Shakib Al Hasan and Mushfiqur Rahim - A solid partnership of 123 runs for the 5th wickets
Shakib Al Hasan and Mushfiqur Rahim – A solid partnership of 123 runs for the 5th wickets

The captain of Bangladesh, Mushfiqur Rahim, got together with Shakib Al Hasan and started the repair work. The duo did not take any chance but sent the loose ball out of the rope in between their innings. Shakib Al Hasan dispatched his 12th Test fifty on the last delivery of the 60th over as Mushfiqur Rahim kept on cruising from the other side. The score went past the 200 runs mark in the following over with a six over long off from the latter. Mushfiqur Rahim achieved his 10th Test half century in the 69th over and the hundred runs fifth wicket association was also witnessed.

The pair took the score to 248 in 73.5 overs when Shakib Al Hasan was caught behind by Richmond Mutumbami off Chigumbura for 81 scored from 118 balls with 8 fours. The young gun of the Bengal Tigers, Nasir Hossain, walked in next as Mushfiqur Rahim got a life at 56 in the 76th over when he was dropped by Cremer again. Nasir Hossain hit two back to back fours in the next over and he too was dropped at 9 in the 79th over and used the chance by accumulating 10 runs after two overs with a couple of fours. Mushfiqur Rahim lost his wicket at 280 after his personal feat of 60 from 165 with 1 six and 5 fours. Nasir Hossain and Ziaur Rehman were at the crease with 37 and 8 runs respectively as Bangladesh reached 300 in 88 overs with four wickets still in hand.

Elton Chigumbura was the top wicket taker with two whereas Kyle Jarvis, Keegan Meth and Shingi Masakadza shared one wicket each.

Bangladesh has consolidated its position and will anticipate another 75-100 runs from the last four wickets to take them to stability.


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