BCB hunts broom-wielding fans

A file photo shows fanatic cricket fans boo the national cricket team players with broom-sticks, slippers and banners with rude comments for their dismal performance on the Zimbabwe tour, after their arrival at the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport.

Bangladesh Cricket Board is looking for broom-wielding fans who defied late night sleep on Wednesday to humiliate the members of the national cricket team upon their return from Zimbabwe. 
BCB president AHM Mustafa Kamal said they have informed the law-enforcing agencies to identify the persons, who appeared to have acted in a planned way.
‘I think it is sabotage,’ Kamal told reporters on Thursday. ‘We have already informed the law-enforcing agencies to find out the persons,’ said Kamal. 
‘Once they are identified we will decide on further course of action,’ said Kamal at a progarmme with the state minister for youth and sports, Ahad Ali Sarkar, sitting right beside him.
Some 50 broom-welding protesters carried banners and placards with indecent language gathered at the arrival gate of the Shahjalal International Airport dead at night to vent their anger against the cricket team in the wake of disastrous Zimbabwe tour.
They showed shoes to the players and hurled abusive language at them for their Test and one-day series defeat to Zimbabwe during the three-week long tour.
The event which took place before most of the officials and security personnel realised what had happened and it created a strong repercussion within the BCB.  
BCB chief executive office Manzur Ahmed said they are almost certain that it was not a natural reaction of fans and somebody must have acted behind the scene.
‘I was told by my driver that a van carried the persons to the airport and they seemed to have acted in coordinated way,’ said Manzur.
Former national cricketers also reacted sharply to the event.
‘It is very disappointing. They cricketers are not only players but they are also an ambassador of our country. They have failed but they do not deserve to be treated like this,’ said former national captain Roquibul Hassan.
‘I have a hunch that a vested quarter can be behind it and it can be revealed only after the investigation is over.
 ‘I don’t think anyone will take the pain to go to the airport at 3:00am without any provocation just to denounce the players,’ added Roquibul.
Source: http://newagebd.com/newspaper1/sports/31309.html

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Broom, boos greet returning Tigers

After being humbled in the only Test and then losing the ODI series to an invigorated Zimbabwe side, the Tigers were given a welcome they would want to forget when a group of 25-30 young followers showed up in front of the VIP gate at Shah Jalal International Airport with garlands made of tattered slippers and brooms to demonstrate their disappointment when the team arrived early Wednesday.

While they were demonstrating outside, on the other side of the gate skipper Shakib Al Hasan had to go through may be one of the most tough times in his cricketing career as he faced the media at the lounge who had one common question, “Why this humiliating defeat?”

“I think the three-month break that we had made all the difference. It doesn’t matter how much we practiced, we were all out of competitive matches. The practice matches that we had weren’t enough. Besides this, if anyone had any personal problem, I’m unaware of it,” said Shakib.

“The players took their time to catch the drift and the proof could be noticed by the end of the series. Simple reason is that we had problems adjusting to the condition at the beginning of the tour,” Shakib confessed.

Doesn’t matter how many questions he was asked, nearly every answer had a common sentence, ‘we lacked practice’.

When asked whether he had any complaints with the international calendar which has so far lacked Test matches and if it was reason for the defeat, the skipper said, “I think there can be many reasons stated if anybody wants. I will just say that there are rooms for further improvement. It indeed was a big problem to play a Test match after a long interval but more than this I think things would have been much easier for us had we played some international matches instead of the three-month break that we had.”

Before the squad left for a tour that turned into a nightmare, Shakib claimed to be the favourites but unexpectedly the picture turned ugly. “I thought that we were the favourites but it was them who played better cricket. We didn’t lose any match for last five years against Zimbabwe for which in general sense we were the favourites,” said Shakib who was still to confirm the date of his departure to join Indian Premiere League team Kolkata Knight Riders for the Champions League play offs.Source: www.daily-sun.com

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Shakib Al Hasan the pride of Bangladesh

An Inspirational video on Shakib Al Hasan.
A lot of people say a lot of words against this 24 year old man, but one must remember, it is this man for whom today we can proudly say, we have got one of the best all rounders of World Cricket at the moment...

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Akram dismisses feud among Tigers

Chief selector Akram Khan on Tuesday rubbished the reports that a bitter feud between skipper Shakib al Hasan and his predecessor Mohammad Ashraful had cost Bangladesh the Test and one-day series against Zimbabwe. 

Different reports suggested Sakib had a growing disliking for Ashraful, which created a sharp division in the team, with vice-captain Tamim Iqbal clearly siding with the skipper. 

‘If Sakib had not wanted Ashraful then it would have been difficult for him to get into the squad,’ Akram told reporters at Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium on Tuesday.

‘The team was finalised with Sakib’s consent. If that had been the case, we would have to think twice to put Ashraful’s name on the squad list. He had never opposed Ashraful’s inclusion,’ said Akram.

‘I maintained regular contact with the team. After the first day’s play of the Test five senior players had a meeting to discuss how to overcome the difficulties. Ashraful was one of them. If the team had internal clashes it would not have happened,’ added the former skipper.

‘He [Ashraful] joined Sakib, Tamim [Iqbal], [Shahriar] Nafees and Mushfiqur Rahim in the meeting and they had a crucial discussion.

‘These kinds of things affect the players while they are on a tour. They try to play as a team, sometimes it happens, sometimes it doesn’t,’ said Akram.

Akram said the failure was due to lack of preparation and the team could not play as a unit as they failed to keep their composure after the loss in the first match.

‘We did not have enough match practice that is required for a team, who are returning to Test cricket after 14 months.

‘The players played a lot of cricket for nearly three years and then they went into a break. I thought that they could adjust but unfortunately it didn’t happen.’ said Akram.

‘The important thing is that you have to start well. After losing the practice match our confidence level had gone down tremendously and it couldn’t be raised,’ he added

‘There are a lot of other factors too, we got the coach at the last moment so it took time for him to get adjusted with the team,’ he added.

Akram praised Zimbabwe for how they prepared for the series but was not ready to admit that they were a superior side to Bangladesh.

‘They took a very good preparation. They played a lot of four-day matches against the Australia and South Africa A teams.

‘I don’t think they played extraordinarily, what I feel is that we made a lot of mistakes,’ said Akram.

Source: http://newagebd.com/newspaper1/sports/31075.html

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Too much T20 spoils Sakib’s spin

Too much Twenty20 cricket has substantially reduced Sakib al Hasan’s ability to spin the ball, observed his former coach and mentor Mohammad Salauddin.
Apart from the final one-dayer, Sakib was a shadow of his usual self with the ball in the recently-concluded Test and one-day series against Zimbabwe – something which many believe affected the team’s performances on the tour.
Sakib’s proven bowling prowess has contributed heavily to the team’s recent successes but the left-arm spinner’s tally of six wickets in five matches fell well below his own high standards. 
‘He tended to bowl with a flat trajectory which reduced the spin in his deliveries. This is perhaps because he played too many Twenty20 matches in recent months and so he was always wary of conceding runs rather than attacking the batsmen,’ said Salauddin.
The man who coached Sakib since his early days at the BKSP observed: ‘Sakib usually gets the ball to drift in the air before it turns away after pitching while the other deliveries hold their line but this feature in his bowling was seldom apparent on this tour.’
After the World Cup, Sakib has solely played in the shortest format of the game, firstly with the Kolkata Knight Riders in the Indian Premier League and then with his county side Worcestershire in the Friends Life Twenty20 competition.
Salauddin, a former fielding coach of the national team who also assisted the spinners at different times during Jamie Siddons’ tenure, said the spinners failed to enjoy much success in Zimbabwe because they could not sketch out a proper gameplan to utilise the surfaces.
‘The wicket would have helped the Bangladeshi spinners if it was prepared to give flight to a delivery and allow it to turn. I think they [spinners] could not adjust to the wicket,’ said Salahuddin.
This is one of the reasons, Salahuddin identified, why the other left-arm spinner Abdur Razzak was not successful in the series.
In Bangladesh’s previous series against Zimbabwe, Razzak equalled the world record with his feat of three successive four-wicket hauls that included a hat-trick, in as many games. But surprisingly against the same side he picked up just one wicket in four matches and that too of a tail-ender in the final ball of the 50th over.
Bangladesh were even forced to drop Razzak for a game, a move which was previously unthinkable.
‘The spinners needed to deceive the batsman in the air and that can only be possible if you know how to spin the ball,’ Salahuddin said.
‘Turn depends on the wicket but if there is no turn you still have to continue bowling. That is when one has to drift the ball or drop the ball which the Bangladeshi spinners failed to do,’ he added.
Salahuddin was surprised to see Sakib lacking the aggression that he thought was one of his best qualities which helped him become the bowler he is today. 
‘I think Sakib lacked the aggression that he possessed as a wicket-taking bowler. He looked like a defensive bowler perhaps because the wicket did not have much to offer but that was a mistake,’ said Salahuddin.
‘He is the kind of bowler who can be aggressive in any wicket because he has the ability to spin the ball,’ said Salahuddin.
Source: http://newagebd.com/newspaper1/sports/30957.html 

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Highlights: Bangladesh vs Zimbabwe 5th ODI, 2011

Bangladesh’s calamitous Zimbabwe tour ended on a winning note as they humbled the hosts by a massive 93 runs in the fifth and final one-dayer in Bulawayo on Sunday.
Sakib al Hasan returned to his all-round best, notching up 79 off 71 balls before his 2-26 helped Bangladesh restrict Zimbabwe to  160-9 with last batsman Keegan Meth absent injured. Now Watch Highlights of This Match...!

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Shakib steers Tigers to comfortable win

 
Bangladesh captain Sakib al Hasan bowls during the 3rd one-day iInternational against Zimbabwe in Harare on Tuesday. — AFP photo

Bangladesh’s calamitous Zimbabwe tour ended on a winning note as they humbled the hosts by a massive 93 runs in the fifth and final one-dayer in Bulawayo on Sunday.
Sakib al Hasan returned to his all-round best, notching up 79 off 71 balls before his 2-26 helped Bangladesh restrict Zimbabwe to  160-9 with last batsman Keegan Meth absent injured.
Sakib added 107 runs with Mahmudullah for the sixth wicket to lift Bangladesh to 253-6, which at times looked a far cry after a typical slide in the middle-order.
Mahmudullah, unbeaten on 60, had his contribution in the win with three late wickets, but it was Sakib who led the team from front with both bat and ball to earn some consolation in 3-2 series defeat.
Zimbabwe were once again without Brian Vitori and it proved to be the real difference as Bangladesh were off to good start, though batsmen almost ruined it throwing wickets at regular interval.
Imrul Kayes ended his nightmarish tour with yet another poor score of nine, while Mohammad Ashraful, returning to the side for Junaed Siddique, once again failed to justify his inclusion having been dismissed for 15.
Tamim was going fine with his controlled aggression, but just as it happened throughout the series, he lost his wicket when it looked he was poised for a big total. His dismissal for 45 off 65 balls triggered yet another mini-collapse in the middle-order putting Bangladesh in danger being dismissed for a below-par total.
But Sakib stood tall once again and found an ally in Mahmudullah, who was a complete flop in all previous matches.   The duo took their time to settle down and once they managed to do that it was time for the Zimbabwean bowlers to receive the hammering.
Sakib kept the scoreboard ticking always which for the first time allowed Bangladesh in the series to have a recognised batsman at the crease when it was time for them to take the batting powerplay.
He was out in the third over of batting powerplay, trying a slog sweep, but it did not cost Bangladesh much as they had still Nasir Hossain to accompany Mahmudullah in the final few overs.
Mahmudullah completed his fifty in the next over and shortly afterwards helped Bangladesh go past the 250-run mark, which was deemed enough on the turning track at Queens Park.
And the team could not have asked for a better start than what Rubel Hossain  gave them when he forced the last match’s centurion Brendan Taylor to give a catch behind the stumps without scoring any runs.
When Sakib had in-form batsman Vusi Sibanda caught by Tamim for 34 and Razzak followed it up with a successful lbw shout against Hamilton Masakadza (27), the match turned into Bangladesh’s way.
Malcolm Waller provided some resistance with 51 off 70 balls, but Mahmudullah’s three-wicket burst ended Zimbabwe’s chase without any challenge.
‘Everything came well in the last two games. We were coming off a break from international cricket, so it was not going to be easy for the guys,’ Sakib told later as he received his man of the match trophy.
Source: Internet

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All’s well that ends well

As the saying goes, ‘all’s well that ends well’ , a second win in Bulawayo for Bangladesh today in the last and final game of the five-match one-day series could ensure that the Tigers return from a catastrophic tour of Zimbabwe with at least some pride in tact.

The tour of Zimbabwe has been a chastening experience for Bangladesh, who started the one-day series as favourites but were staring at the prospect of a whitewash until the end of the penultimate match.

Bangladesh’s six-wicket win at the Queens Sports Club provided a gentle reminder of the team’s capabilities when on song and their performances in all three departments of the game exuded a level of positivity that had not previously been evidenced on this tour.

Rubel Hossain instigated a late-order collapse for Zimbabwe with four wickets in his last two overs but the performance of Abdur Razzak, who in the past has been the difference between the sides, was also encouraging.

There was also a marked improvement in the fielding department, highlighted by Nasir Hossain’s brilliant effort to effect the run-out of Tatenda Taibu, while Mushfiqur Rahman took a couple of sharp catches behind the stumps.

The batsmen sustained the momentum they picked up on the field to chase down a target of 200 with relative ease as a blazing innings of 61 runs from Tamim Iqbal set the tone for skipper Sakib al Hasan and newcomer Shuvagoto Hom to steer the team home with six wickets and 80 balls to spare.

A change of venue also proved to be a blessing for Bangladesh on Friday and heading into the final one-dayer the Tigers will be encouraged by their record of five wins in seven games in Bulawayo where conditions favour spin bowling more than they do in Harare.

But having a good record is seldom enough to win a cricket match as this series has shown and the only way the players can fully utilise the conditions in their favour is by performing to their potential as skipper Sakib al Hasan acknowledged after the fourth ODI.

‘I think this ground suits us more than the Harare ground,’ said Sakib at the post-match press conference on Friday.

‘The wicket had some spin, enough for our bowlers to do something. I don’t think we always win here because it suits us; we played good cricket today [Friday].’

The first win on the tour not only prevented the ignominy of a whitewash but also ensured that the team did not lose further points in the ICC’s ODI rankings where Bangladesh are currently in ninth place.

Although the team face no immediate threat from Zimbabwe for the ranking, Bangladesh nevertheless lost nine points as a result of the first three defeats in the series and they could redress that with another win to end the tour on a positive note.

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Highlights Zimbabwe vs Bangladesh 4th ODI-19 Aug 2011

Bangladesh 203 for 4 (Tamim 61, Shakib 39*) beat Zimbabwe 199 (Taylor 106, Rubel 4-31) by six wickets

BANGLADESH claimed their first win on tour in Zimbabwe with a six-wicket victory in the fourth ODI in Bulawayo. Now watch Highlights Zimbabwe vs Bangladesh 4th ODI.
Watch Live Sri Lanka vs Australia 4th ODI on www.intercric.info

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Taylor's ton in vain as Tigers bounce back

Bangladesh 203 for 4 (Tamim 61, Shakib 39*) beat Zimbabwe 199 (Taylor 106, Rubel 4-31) by six wickets

BANGLADESH claimed their first win on tour in Zimbabwe with a six-wicket victory in the fourth ODI in Bulawayo.

Having won the toss and chosen to field, Bangladesh pressured their hosts well from the off, and only Brendan Taylor offered meaningful resistance with the bat.
His innings of 106 was more than half of Bangladesh's team total, and though Zimbabwe had built themselves a useful platform at 183 for four, they collapsed abruptly to 199 all out.
Tamim Iqbal's breezy innings of 61 from 53 balls whittled the target down quickly, and though Zimbabwe reduced the tourists to 129 for four at one point, captain Shakib Al Hasan and Shuvagoto Hom combined to knock off the rest of the runs with more than 13 overs to spare.

Bangladesh’s win reduced their deficit to 3-1, with one final read rubber match to be played.

Reflecting on the defeat, a disappointed captain Taylor said his men must “have a good look” at themselves “in the mirror”.

"We didn't get enough runs. We lost too many wickets in the end. We maybe drifted into this game without the usual intent, and Bangladesh came back hard as we expected them to,” Taylor said.
“3-2 doesn't sound as good as 4-1, so we need to have a good look at ourselves in the mirror and come back. A 100 and a loss always hurts. 260-270 would have been a par score here."

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Shakib admits lax mindset

Bangladesh captain Shakib Al Hasan owned up to his team's relaxed mindset against Zimbabwe. The demoralising defeats in the one-dayers and the Test match have moved the team into realisation of what could have been, though later than he would have liked.
“I think we believed that we'd win and someone would do the job. But we never thought that, 'I would be the one,'” said Shakib during training at the Queens Sports Club here yesterday.
“Whenever we've played against them [Zimbabwe], someone has played a big innings. I think that responsibility wasn't carried out, though I'm sure everyone tried,” he added.
Shakib went deep into the way of thinking among his teammates but believed an extra push was missing.
“Nobody wants to get out, but there's an extra hunger not to get out. I think we were slightly relaxed since we haven't lost to them in five years. But it is hard to say because I wouldn't understand every player's inner feelings,” he said.
Shakib said the end of the Test match a week or so ago was when it hit the Tigers that it could have been a great opportunity to notch up their fourth Test win in history, but it came too late.
“What happens is that sometimes we realise what we've missed after it happens. After we lost the Test, we realised that it would've been only our fourth win. We don't know when it might come again.
“If we could realise these things earlier, it would definitely help us,” said Shakib.
But the fight that was put up with the bat in the last game in Harare has encouraged the skipper.
“It looked like we fought. Nobody gave up until the end which was good. I thought there was a lack of fighting mentality in the previous matches,” he said, adding that the four dropped catches made a lot of a difference.
“We know it since we were young that 'catches win matches'. [Tatenda] Taibu ended up scoring 80-odd and even later, if Chigumbura wasn't dropped that early, they would have scored 220 at best,” said the left-handed all-rounder who showed a blister on his spinning finger that bothered him during the game on Tuesday.
With the team already 3-0 down, the possibility of a whitewash is already being talked about. Shakib, however, is banking on some confidence from the last game as well as the Tigers' previous record at this venue.
A series defeat after five years against Zimbabwe is especially hard to digest for Shakib, who is experiencing it for the second time (the first was in 2006 when he made his debut in the fifth one-dayer of the lost series), but has accepted that it is easier to learn from defeats.
“It is hard to accept so many defeats, that too against them. But I think there're a lot of things to learn from losses than a win.
“It will remain as a huge lesson for the future,” said Shakib.

Source: http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/news-details.php?nid=199223

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Time for battle to avoid whitewash

The Bangladesh cricketers in Zimbabwe warm up before their training session at the Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo yesterday, ahead of today's 4th ODI against Zimbabwe here.

What should have been a routine series victory has turned into a debacle here in Zimbabwe. The Bangladesh cricket team today have their penultimate shot at regaining lost ground, particularly stemming the losing streak that is now nine matches long.
The last time the Tigers won a cricket match was against the Netherlands in Chittagong during the World Cup and the irreparable damage during this tour has been conceding a one-day series to these opponents after five years.
The must-win nature of the game at the Queens Sports Club doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out but how they will go about their business now is as complex.
A new, quieter city might bring some change into the Tigers' approach given the favourable record at the ground (four wins out of six matches).
The combination used during the third ODI almost worked but it is looking increasingly likely that the three-man pace attack would have to be shifted due to an injury to Nazmul Hossain and the pitch.
Nazmul suffered a hamstring pull during training yesterday and though the team management didn't confirm till the filing of this report, a batsman could well be drafted in, given what has happened in Harare over the last three weeks.
Tamim Iqbal hasn't looked himself throughout the tour, particularly against Brian Vitori in the ODIs, and even after he slowly got back into the runs in the last game through the tedious 44, a needless run-out ended his 62-ball stay.
Imrul Kayes has looked completely out of sorts, finding it hard both against the bouncing ball and the one that comes slowly. Shahriar Nafees and Mohammad Ashraful, who slammed half-centuries in the first innings of the Test, lost their places due to two poor knocks (more importantly two poor dismissals) while Shafiul Islam has done well only in a handful of spells.
Mahmudullah Riyad's place in the team is probably hanging by a thread after a string of poor scores as well as average bowling and fielding.
The left-arm spin threat too has been kept well at bay by the home batsmen, making Abdur Razzak and Sohrawardi Shuvo redundant.
Only a handful of players have so far performed but even among those, some have slipped up.
Mushfiqur Rahim's century in the last game was as technically brilliant as it was inspiring. He paced his innings beautifully, especially after skipper Shakib Al Hasan, a batsman he always feels comfortable at the other end, fell at a crucial juncture.
The wicketkeeper who, some believe, wears himself out through intense training all around the year, has looked the part in the last three weeks.
Rubel Hossain is another who has delivered from time to time. Despite missing out the practice game due to illness, he found some luck in the Test match before making use of the old ball in the ODIs. After a four-wicket haul in the first game, his “yorkers-at-will” in the third game was very encouraging.
What the Tigers dearly need is a great performance from their captain. Shakib Al Hasan has looked lost at times with his leadership and has felt the pressure at certain points while batting during the series.
With the series now lost, it would be up to a few key members to fix the situation before it becomes a last-ditch attempt.
Source: http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/news-details.php?nid=199222

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BCB to dig deep into Tigers debacle

Zimbabwe players celebrate their series win as Bangladesh top-scorer (101) Mushfiqur Rahim (R) returns to the pavilion in dismay for not being able to propel his team to victory in the third ODI match at the Harare Sports Club ground on Tuesday. — Intern

Bangla-desh skipper Sakib al Hasan will be summoned by the Bangladesh Cricket Board to give his account of the team’s debacle in the ongoing tour of Zimbabwe, said BCB officials on Wednesday.
Bangladesh have failed to win a single match in the tour so far, succumbing to a 130-run defeat in the only Test match before losing their first one-day series in five years against Zimbabwe on Monday.
BCB is deeply concerned by the team’s below-par showings and have called an emergency meeting on August 20 to discuss the matter.
Recent media reports suggest that the team’s downfall has been caused by an internal feud which has divided the squad with Sakib and his deputy Tamim Iqbal becoming alienated from the rest of the players.
‘Sakib will be called to explain his position and why he thinks we had done so badly,’ Manzur
‘I cannot say anything now but we will decide what would be our next course of action during the next meeting,’ he added.
Manzur remained coy about the purported internal feud in the squad, stating that the board will first verify the reports through coach Stuart Law and the team’s head of delegation before taking any measures.
 ‘We have to go through the reports of the coach and the head of the delegation before we can say anything. It is hard to say whether there is any feud in the team from here,’ said Manzur.
‘We have to know what went wrong and must work accordingly to redress it,’ he added.
Media committee chairman Jalal Younus largely echoed Manzur’s views and reiterated the importance of addressing the reasons behind the debacle to prevent its recurrence.
 ‘It is undoubtedly disappointing and we need to find out the reason so that it does not reoccur,’ said Jalal.
‘We cannot say anything now but we will ask for a  full report and only after receiving that can we say anything,’ said Jalal.
Whether the board will launch a full-scale investigation into the dispute will only be decided after perusing the team management’s report, according to Jalal.
 ‘Why the performance has dipped is a big question and it’s very difficult to answer it from here. There could be a feud or the players could just be low on confidence,’ said Jalal.
National selectors Akram Khan and Minhajul Abedin refused to be drawn into the matter despite being asked repeatedly about the team’s underperformance.
Former captain Khaled Mahmud lamented the team’s preparation for the tour, citing its inadequacy as reason for Bangladesh’s recent shortcomings.
‘You reap what you sow, it is as simple as that,’ said Khaled Mahmud.
Faruque Ahmed meanwhile believes that Sakib must communicate better with his troops if the Tigers are to stem the rot.
‘Sakib is an introvert person but he needs to mix with his teammates more if he wants to bring the best out of them,’ he said.

Source:  http://newagebd.com/newspaper1/sports/30321.html

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Bangladesh vs Zimbabwe 3rd ODI Highlights 16-08-2011

 

Mushfiqur Rahim's a fighting century couldn't save tigers. This is the 2nd hundred & highest runs for him (Maiden 100 in ODI). Team Bangladesh lost by 5 runs & lost series as well.. It would be unforgettable match if Mushfique could able to win Bangladesh.
Zimbabwe 250/7 (50.0 ov); Masakadza 74 Taibu 83
Bangladesh 245 (49.2 ov); Mushfiqur 101 ;Utseya 10-47-3
Zimbabwe won by 5 runs !
Man of The Match: Mushfiqur Rahim

Now Watch Bangladesh Tour Of Zimbabwe Series Only 3rd ODI Match Highlights.

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Tigers tamed despite Musfique heroics

Bangladesh opener Tamim Iqbal (R) looks shattered after being run out for 44 during the third ODI match against Zimbabwe at the Harare Sports Club ground on Tuesday. — AFP photo

Bangladesh’s wretched tour of Zimbabwe reached its exclamation point on Tuesday as the team crashed to a five-run defeat at the Harare Sports to surrender the five-match ODI series 3-0.
The previously unthinkable prospect of a series whitewash now looms ominously over the horizon for Bangladesh amidst growing talks of a crisis which showed no signs of abating as the Tigers failed to chase down a target of 251.
Mushfiqur Rahim played the innings of his life to score 101, his maiden ODI century, but even that was not enough to rescue the series the Bangladesh. Zimbabwe burst into celebration when Vusi Sibanda caught Mushfique of Christopher Mpofu to end Bangladesh’s topsy-turvy run chase with five balls still left and claim a rare ODI series victory.
Bangladesh looked like ending their losing streak until two wickets in the space of three balls in the 46th and 47th overs left them in total disarray.
Mahmudullah and Nasir Hossain had to share most of the blame as they left the team in a precarious situation after throwing away their wickets completely unnecessarily of the bowling of Brian Vitori and Christopher Mpofu with the team needing only 22 runs in more than three overs.
Mushfiqur was still there to lead the chase but Shafiul Islam and Rubel Hossain were simply not good enough to give him the much needed strike and the team paid the price for their poor batting skills having been bundled out for 245 runs in 49.1 overs.
Earlier, a third-wicket stand of 142 runs between Tatenda Taibu and Hamilton Masakadza set the platform for Zimbabwe to post a respectable total of 250 and set them on course for a series win.
After winning the toss, skipper Sakib al Hasan’s decision to bowl first was soon vindicating by opening bowlers Shafiul Islam and Nazmul Hossain, playing his first match of the series, who utilised the conditions in the opening session to their favour, making it difficult for the Zimbabwean batsmen to score their runs as freely as they had in the opening encounters.
Shafiul soon had a wicket to show for his efforts when he picked up the wicket of Brendan Taylor (4) before Rubel Hossain dismissed the dangerous Vusi Sibanda for 27 to put the home side firmly on the backfoot at 39-2 in the 14th over.
However, this set the tone for the Zimbabwean revival led by former skipper Taibu who top-scored with 83 and Masakadza (74) who compensated for a circumspect start to the innings by launching a counter-attack to take Zimbabwe to 181 before Masakadza was bowled by Rubel.
A quickfire 31 runs of 21 balls by Elton Chigumbura took Zimbabwe to 250 but Bangladesh will rue the three dropped catches of Taibu, on 16 and twice on 41, which could have significantly lowered the target.
Bangladesh’s run chase got off to a steady start with Tamim Iqbal and Imrul Kayes managing to successfully negotiate the bowling of Brian Vitori for the first time in the series as they accumulated 50 runs for the opening stand.
Tamim looked particularly solid until a freakish run out ended his innings on 44. Bangladesh were still in the game thanks to a 61-run fifth-wicket stand between debutant Shubhagoto Hom and Mushfique.
Shubhagoto was out for 32 runs but Mushfique took the game right down to the wire with his brave innings until the moments of madness involving Mahmudullah and Nasir allowed Zimbabwe to come back in the game.
This was Bangladesh’s first series defeat to Zimbabwe since 2006 when they lost 3-2.
Match Highlights:
ZIMBABWE: 250 for 7 (Sibanda 27, Masakadza 74, Taibu 83, Ervine 18, Chigumbura 31; Rubel 2-41, Shakib 2-46)
BANGLADESH: 245 (Tamim 44, Imrul 16, Mushfiqur 101, Shakib 19, Shuvagoto 22; Jarvis 2-52, Mpofu 2-43, Utseya 3-47)
Result: Zimbabwe won by five runs.
Man-of-the-match: Mushfiqur Rahim.
 Source: Internet

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Do or die for Tigers

The Tigers have a final chance to put one foot in the door as Zimbabwe look to close it by wrapping up the five-match one-day series today.
The wreckage of the 2-0 margin is still being sifted as the Tigers have held a series of meetings at the team hotel yesterday. It was learned that separate selection and clear-the-air talks among players and team management were held after the Tigers decided on optional training at the Harare Sports Club ground, on the eve of the do-or-die third game, which incidentally is Bangladesh's 250th ODI.
Despite the occasion, the Tigers have too much on their plate with selection issues chief on the agenda.
The opening pair will survive the chop despite Imrul Kayes's string of low scores on tour, simply for the sake of stability at the top but questions will be raised on the next positions.
Shahriar Nafees has made 14 each in the first two games and his dismissal in Sunday's game proved that it has been an impatient time for a left-hander who has hardly ever batted this airily.
Mohammad Ashraful too has looked indecisive despite a fine 73 in the Test and it is likely that the most experienced batsman in this line-up is already feeling the pressure of not scoring in two innings.
Mahmudullah Riyad's bat hasn't spoken yet and his two mistakes in the latter stages of the second ODI could work against him, especially after Nasir Hossain's success with the bat and the option the youngster provides with the ball.
Abdur Razzak, too, finds himself in Riyad's position after a wicketless ODI series so far. The fact that skipper Shakib Al Hasan used him for just a single over in the last game was poignant given Razzak's record against Zimbabwe.
Junaed Siddiqui and Shuvogoto Hom Chowdhury are the batting options on tour while Nazmul Hossain could come in if the Tigers opt for a three-man pace attack with Shakib as the only spinner with help from Nasir and Ashraful.
It is also likely that Mushfiqur Rahim will continue as the No 3 while Shakib will keep batting at five to stretch the batting line-up.
A single good performance could still change the Tigers' fate in this series but if it doesn't come today, the 250th ODI will be remembered simply as a milestone of failure.
Source: http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/news-details.php?nid=198782

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Highlights: Ban vs Zim 2nd ODI(Bangladesh Batting) 14 Aug 2011

Bangladesh vs Zimbabwe: Watch Bangladesh Batting  Highlights 2nd ODI 14th Aug 2011.

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Ordinary Vitori Destroyed Tigers Again

Harare: Zimbabwean paceman Brian Vitori's second successive five wicket haul limited Bangladesh to a total of 188 all out in the second of the five match one day international series here on Sunday.
Zimbabwe now lead the series 2-0. Vitori, who also starred in the one-off test which the hosts comfortably won on their return to test cricket after a six year absence, made immediate inroads into the tourists batting as he claimed Imrul Kayes for eight and Timam Iqbal for three on his 100th ODI appearance.

He followed that with Shakib Al Hassan (26), Nazir Hossain, who put together a confident 63 and Abdul Razzak (35).

Al Hassan, Hossain and Razzak at least managed to restore some respectability to the total as the visitors were at one point teetering on 61-6 and in danger of posting a new record for their lowest ever one day total which stands at 92.

Al Hassan and the debutant Hossain took the score along, though, benefitting from some poor Zimbabwean bowling by Prosper Utseya and Chris Mpofu.

Hossain was especially impressive as the 19-year-old looked more like a seasoned campaigner, putting on 53 with Shakib for the seventh wicket and another priceless partnership of 65 for the eighth with Razzak.

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Will Tigers repeat history?

Bangladesh batsmen (from L-R) Mohammad Ashraful, Junaed Siddiqui and Nasir Hossain batting in the Harare Sports Club nets yesterday, ahead of today's 2nd ODI against Zimbabwe

Bangladesh's optimism ahead of today's second one-day match is eked from the times gone by.

The Tigers famously fought back from 2-0 down against Zimbabwe to clinch the five-match series in 2005 under Habibul Bashar, and even as recently as in the last series when Shakib Al Hasan's men lost the first game and went on to win the series 3-1.

In 2009, Zimbabwe took the lead in the first game twice but the Tigers took away the trophy on both occasions.

But as Bashar, now a selector, observed, this is not the same Zimbabwe team, not even similar to the one that lost 3-1 in December last year.

It hasn't been personnel that have shifted places but mentality and becoming more disciplined that have caught the Tigers napping. The home side have looked prepared both on and off the field.

Whether it was by dishing out a dodgy wicket in the practice match, keeping their new pace sensation as a closely-guarded secret or having more efficient footwork against the likes of Abdur Razzak and Shakib Al Hasan, the Zimbabweans have looked the better side.

So to bank on history would be yet another tactless move from the Tigers.

After losing three games on tour and mostly being dominated by their hosts, it is time to bring out a new plan and play Zimbabwe as they are and not wait for them to make mistakes.

The responsibility should lie with a few individuals because that's how the Tigers have been from the World Cup, a team of individuals. And this theme will hardly change.

Skipper Shakib and Tamim Iqbal will be expected to take batting responsibilities, the latter more so due to Imrul Kayes going through a lean patch during this tour.

Shahriar Nafees, Mohammad Ashraful and Mahmudullah Riyad are experienced enough to shepherd the middle-order but they too have shone only in the first innings of the Test match while in Riyad's case, performing has become more necessary than the others.

They can all take a leaf out of Mushfiqur Rahim's book, the wicketkeeper having rediscovered his one-day form since the last-gasp 81 against Australia back in April. Apart from Shakib's glowing confidence, Mushfiqur now looks the most comfortable batsman.

It is likely that the bowling attack will go through some changes as either Abdur Razzak or Sohrawardi Shuvo will make way for Nazmul Hossain.

To bring in a three-man seam attack would be a positive move, especially with Rubel Hossain among the wickets.

The management could also punt on newcomer Nasir Hossain, the highly-rated all-rounder who is known to form his game according to the need of the team.

But in a crucial game such as today's, the Tigers would dearly hope the experienced players come good and bring the change, even at the cost of repeating history.

Source: http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/news-details.php?nid=198507

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Kapali comes to his senses

Alok Kapali, Bangladesh’s once burgeoning all-rounder, particularly in the one-day games has at last decided to write a letter of apology to both Bangladesh Cricket Board and the selection panel following his misbehaviour regarding his omission from the squad for the Zimbabwe tour. The 27-year old informed the media about his decision on Friday.

The right handed batsman from Sylhet was short listed for the Zimbabwe tour and the selectors also gave hints of sending him for the ODI matches. But due to some strategic measures, the selectors restricted the ICL returnee’s travel to Africa. Kapali then involved himself into a heated debate with the chief selector Akram Khan over phone and supposedly declined to play for Bangladesh A Team.

“There has been a misunderstanding. I wanted to say something but it turned out in some other way. Even Akram bhai misunderstood my points,” said Alok.

“I told him that I performed in the domestic competitions and also joined the conditioning camp. Then why am I not being considered for the national side? I was even told that I will be included for the ODI matches against Zimbabwe but later when no such thing happened I was in doubt with my future in the national side. I never told him that I will not play. Now when I have made him realise that, he has asked me to give a letter. Let’s see where this leads to,” he added.

On the other hand chief selector Akram Khan said, “Kapali got emotional which made him say a few things but now he has decided to play. I have asked him to submit a letter to the board and join the A Team practise on Sunday. I think I made right decision.”

However, Alok Kapali’s name was omitted from the 25-man Bangladesh A team Skill Camp squad announced on Thursday.Source: Internet

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Tigers failed to comeback

Brian Vitori became the first Zimbabwean to take five wickets on his One-Day International debut as the home side beat Bangladesh by four wickets in the first of five ODIs at Harare Sports Club here on Friday.

After being put into bat, Bangladesh slumped to 43 for five as Vitori, who finished with five for 30 from his 10 overs, ripped through the top order.

A sixth wicket partnership of 105 between captain Shakib Al Hassan (53) and Mushfiqur Rahim (59) gave Bangladesh some hope but they were all out for 184 eight balls short of their 50 overs.

Zimbabwe lost captain Brendan Taylor in the fifth over but Vusi Sibanda struck a cultured 96 from 102 balls to take them to the brink of victory, Forster Mutizwa's unbeaten 27 taking them over the line with 8.4 overs to spare.

Rubel Hossain was the pick of the Bangladeshi bowlers with four for 26 from his 10 overs.

Zimbabwe won the one-off Test between the two sides by 130 runs on Monday.

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Tigers Aim to Bounce Back

After the heroics in Harare on Monday, when Zimbabwe won an intriguing Test match against Bangladesh, cricket returns to the format the two teams play most often. An ODI series between them is not a rare thing and the players know each other so well that most of them see each other as colleagues, not opponents. In the last two years, they have played three five-match series against each other, with Bangladesh winning all three; two at home, one away.

Their dominance over Zimbabwe may suggest that Bangladesh are firm favourites on the eve this series, but the tables have turned a little. Zimbabwe are the darlings of the cricket world after winning their comeback Test and will want to maintain their status with a convincing performance in the ODIs. Their most recent showing in the fifty-over format, at the 2011 World Cup, was disappointing. They registered just one win over minnows Kenya and their five defeats meant that any outside chance they had of making it to the quarter-finals quickly disappeared.

They haven't played an ODI since March, and with all the focus on their Test return, they will have to adjust quickly to this version of the game. With exciting players like batsman Forster Mutizwa and seamers Brian Vitori and Tendai Chatara coming through the franchise system, Zimbabwe have a lot of talent to show off and there would be no better time to do so than now, at the start of a summer that will see them also host Pakistan and New Zealand.

Bangladesh were widely expected to progress to the quarter-finals of the World Cup, but defeats to India, West Indies and South Africa undid the hard work they put into their wins over Ireland, England and Netherlands. In the only series they have played in the aftermath of their World Cup exit, Australia made a mockery of them, showing that the gap between Bangladesh and some of the other teams still exists.

With talk of disharmony in the camp, general regression and Shakib Al Hasan's captaincy under scrutiny, Bangladesh will be looking to let their on-field efforts answer the questions that are swirling around them. Stuart Law's tenure as coach didn't start in the best way but this is also an opportunity for him to stamp his style on the team. Junaid Siddique, who was not included in the one-off Test, should find his way back into the playing XI for the ODIs. Mohammad Ashraful, who showed some form in that Test, is also likely to play after missing out on the series against Australia, and Nasir Hossain, the 19-year-old offspinner, could make his debut.

Bangladesh (probable): 1 Tamim Iqbal, 2 Imrul Kayes, 3 Junaid Siddique, 4 Shahriar Nafees, 5 Mohammad Ashraful, 6 Shakib Al Hasan (capt), 7 Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), 8 Abdur Razzak, 9 Shafiul Islam, 10 Rubel Hossain, 11 Nasir Hossain

Zimbabwe (probable): 1 Brendan Taylor (capt), 2 Hamilton Masakadza, 3 Vusi Sibanda, 4 Craig Ervine, 5 Tatenda Taibu (wk), 6 Forster Mutizwa, 7 Elton Chigumbura, 8 Prosper Utseya, 9 Ray Price, 10 Brian Vitori, 11 Chris Mpofu.

Head to Head

Matches:51

Bangladesh won: 28

Zimbabwe won: 23

Form guide (most recent first)

Zimbabwe WLLLL

Bangladesh LLLLW

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Shakib Al Hasan nominated for ODI cricketer of the year award

Shakib al Hasan is the only cricketer from Bangladesh to have been nominated in any category for the International Cricket Council’s annual awards ceremony to be held in London on September 12.  Shakib has been shortlisted for the one-day cricketer of the year category.
Last year Bangladesh had two cricketers nominated for an award at the ceremony with Tamim Iqbal making the list for the test cricketer of the year award while Shafiul Islam was nominated for the emerging player of the year award.
This is the third time that Sakib has been nominated for an ICC award
In 2006, he was nominated for the emerging player of the year award before featuring in the list of nominees for the Test player of the year in 2009.
The long-lists of nominations were made by a five-man ICC selection panel chaired by former West Indies captain and current chairman of the ICC Cricket Committee Clive Lloyd. The panel also includes former international players Mike Gatting of England, Danny Morrison of New Zealand, Paul Adams of South Africa and Pakistan’s Zaheer Abbas.
The awards will be given to the players based on their performances between August 11, 2010 and August 3,  2011.
During the period, Sakib played 17 ODI scoring 580 runs at an average of 38.66 with a highest score of 106 runs. He also took 29 wickets at an average of 24.34, making him one of the prime contenders for the award.
Meanwhile, Eight of England’s Ashes winners were nominated for the International Cricket Council Cricketer of the Year award in a ‘long list’ of candidates.
Andrew Strauss, the England captain, led the way and he was joined among the contenders by fellow opener Alastair Cook, who scored 766 runs at 127.66 during the 3-1 Test series win in Australia.
Also included in the 17-man list were England’s Jonathan Trott, Ian Bell, Stuart Broad, Graeme Swann, Chris Tremlett and James Anderson.
Australia had just the one nomination in either the Cricketer of the Year or Test Player of the Year categories—all-rounder Shane Watson.
Meanwhile, Trott was also one of five nominees for the People’s Choice  Award—alongside India’s World Cup-winning skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni, Sri Lanka’s Kumar Sangakkara, West Indies’ Chris Gayle and South Africa’s Hashim Amla—which will be chosen by fans from around the world.
The award-winners will be named at a ceremony in London on September 12.
If England win the ongoing third Test against India at Edgbaston they will rise to the top of the ICC’s Test Championship table and replace India at the summit of the five-day game.
India have just the three nominess for player of the year.
Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid and injured paceman Zaheer Khan are all contenders for the Sir Garfield Sobers award, while they are joined by bowlers Ishant Sharma and Harbhajan Singh in the Test category.
India won the World Cup on home soil in April and this is reflected in their seven nominations for the One-Day International Player of the Year award including captain Dhoni.

Cricketer of the Year (Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy):
Hashim Amla (RSA), James Anderson (ENG), Ian Bell (ENG), Stuart Broad (ENG), Alastair Cook (ENG), Rahul Dravid (IND), Jacques Kallis (RSA), Zaheer Khan (IND), Misbah-ul-Haq (PAK), Kumar Sangakkara (SRI), Andrew Strauss (ENG), Graeme Swann (ENG), Sachin Tendulkar (IND), Chris Tremlett (ENG), Jonathan Trott (ENG), AB de Villiers (RSA), Shane Watson (AUS).

Test Player of the Year:
Hashim Amla (RSA), James Anderson (ENG), Ian Bell (ENG), Stuart Broad (ENG), Alastair Cook (ENG), Rahul Dravid (IND), Jacques Kallis (RSA), Zaheer Khan (IND), Misbah-ul-Haq (PAK), Kevin Pietersen (ENG), Ishant Sharma (IND), Harbhajan Singh (IND), Dale Steyn (RSA), Graeme Swann (ENG), Sachin Tendulkar (IND), Chris Tremlett (ENG), Jonathan Trott (ENG), AB de Villiers (RSA), Shane Watson (AUS).

ODI Player of the Year:
Hashim Amla (RSA), Michael Clarke (AUS), MS Dhoni (IND), Gautam Gambhir (IND), Mohammed Hafeez (PAK), Mahela Jayawardene (SRI), Zaheer Khan (IND), Virat Kohli (IND), Lasith Malinga (SRI), Munaf Patel (IND), Saeed Ajmal (PAK), Sakib al Hasan (BAN), Kumar Sangakkara (SRI), Virender Sehwag (IND), Yuvraj Singh (IND), Tim Southee (NZL), Dale Steyn (RSA), Graeme Swann (ENG), Jonathan Trott (ENG), AB de Villiers (RSA), Shane Watson (AUS).

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Zimbabwe beat Bangladesh on Test return

Zimbabwe's Christopher Mpofu and Raymond Price celebrate with captain Brendan Taylor (L) after their victory by 130 runs against Bangladesh in a one-off Test on August 8, 2011. (AFP Photo)

HARARE: Zimbabwe celebrated in style after ending their six-year absence from Test cricket with a 130-run victory over Bangladesh on Monday.

The jubilant home team had set the tourists a daunting target of 375 to win, and secured the victory when Kyle Jarvis trapped Robiul Islam lbw for 12 to end Bangladesh's second innings on 244.

Zimbabwe had made 370 in their first innings, helped on their way by a fine 104 from Hamilton Masakadza.

After ending Bangladesh's reply on 287, the hosts then reached 291 for five in their second innings, including an unbeaten century from Brendan Taylor, before declaring at tea on Sunday.

The result was of major significance to Zimbabwe on their return to Test cricket after a self-imposed six year absence from the game, and the players cracked open the champagne bottles in celebration as they made their way off the field.

"We feel totally justified now at returning to Tests," said Taylor, who was named man of the match in his first Test as captain after following up his first innings 71 with 105 not out in the second innings.

"It has been a long, hard haul. I believe we won mainly because we have worked so hard during the last 12 months.

"The fact is we wanted to win more than Bangladesh did. Our team really put themselves on the line. We had some setbacks, but we had the strength to recover," continued Taylor, who becomes only the seventh player in cricket history to score a century in his first Test as captain.

This victory may have been recorded against the lowest-ranked Test-playing nation, but Zimbabwe can now look forward to further one-off Test matches at home to Pakistan next month and in New Zealand in the New Year.

Bangladesh began the day on 112 for three, still chasing another 263 for victory, and they retained some hope of pulling off a stunning fightback on a wicket that remained ideal for batting.

However, their task began to look like an impossible one when Mohammad Ashraful was bowled by Brian Vitori for 39.

Mushfiqur Rahim also offered some resistance before being caught at square leg by Craig Ervine off Chris Mpofu, who ended with figures of three for 51 from ten overs.

The only other score of note was a stunning knock of 43 off just 17 balls by Abdur Razzak, including an incredible 19 from one Ray Price over, but Bangladeshi captain Shakib Al Hasan accepted that the best team won.

"We were outplayed in both bowling and batting departments, partly because we would have preferred to have had a bit more time to prepare after arriving in Harare," he said.

"Nonetheless, I was disappointed with our performance overall. I'm sure it will be very different in the ODI series."

Jarvis was the pick of the Zimbabwe attack. He dismissed Islam to clinch the match and finish with figures of four for 61 from 16.3 overs.

Zimbabwe and Bangladesh now play a series of five ODIs, with the first coming at Harare Sports Club on Friday.

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Highlights: Bangladesh vs Zimbabwe, 4th Day , Only Test, Harare

Only Test: Zimbabwe v Bangladesh at Harare, Aug 4-8, 2011
Stumps - Day 4
Zimbabwe 2nd innings 291/5 dec.
BRM Taylor 105*,T Taibu 59, V Sibanda 38.
Shafiul Islam 11-3-29-1,Robiul Islam 13-4-48-1,
Abdur Razzak 20-5-49-1,Shakib Al Hasan 18-4-60-1,
Rubel Hossain 17-2-75-1.

Bangladesh 2nd innings (Target 375) 112/3 (30.0 ov)
Tamim Iqbal 43,Imrul Kayes 31,Mohammad Ashraful 19*,
Shahriar Nafees 9,Mushfiqur Rahim 4*.
KM Jarvis 10-1-40-2,CB Mpofu 4-0-17-1.
Bangladesh require another 263 runs with 7 wickets remaining.

Now Watch today’s Match Bangladesh vs Zimbabwe Cricket Highlights, 1st Test, Day 4 of the series. Ban vs Zim Highlights (zim vs ban), On 7th of  august 2011 (7 aug 2011).



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Only Test: Zimbabwe v Bangladesh at Harare - Aug 4-8, 2011

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Do or die

Bangladesh face an uphill battle to save the one-off Test match against Zimbabwe after ending the fourth day’s play, still 263 runs adrift of the massive target of 375 with seven wickets in hand at the Harare Sports Club on Sunday.

Bangladesh scored 112-3 at the stumps to finish a lacklustre day that fetched only one wicket as Brendan Taylor’s unbeaten 105 put Zimbabwe firmly in the driver’s seat on their return to Test cricket after declaring at 291-5 at tea.

Bangladesh’s second innings got off to a flying start as Tamim Iqbal unleashed his array of stroke-making, scoring 43 runs at almost a run-a-ball. Tamim added 65 for the first wicket with the resilient Imrul Kayes before Christopher Mpofu uprooted his off-stump.

Imrul (35) soon made his way back to the pavilion after edging a delivery from Kyle Jarvis to wicketkeeper Tatenda Taibu. The debutant paceman picked up his second wicket of the innings by removing Shahriar Nafees (9) to leave the tourists in a precarious position at 102-3 but Mohammad Ashraful and Mushfiqur Rahim prevented the Zimbabweans from making further inroads as they saw out the day’s final overs. 

Earlier, resuming the fourth day on 92-4, Brendan Taylor and former skipper Tatenda Taibu provided the platform for a commanding second innings lead for the Zimbabweans.

The Zimbabwe skipper scored his first century in Test cricket to leave his side within sight of a victory. The duo thwarted Bangladesh’s bowlers from building on their overnight momentum and denied the Tigers the much-needed breakthrough at the start of the day.

Wicketkeeper batsman Taibu looked particularly assured out in the middle as he expertly manoeuvred the Bangladeshi spinners through all parts of the ground en route to his 10th half-century in Test cricket as the runs began to flow for the Zimbabweans.

The Bangladeshi spinners, who found little assistance from a penultimate day pitch which had held up surprisingly well, however, pulled things back with Mahmudullah and Abdur Razzak conceding just nine runs between them in the ten overs before lunch.

Shafiul Islam provided the day’s only wicket for Bangladesh by removing Taibu for 59 but not before he added 113 runs with Taylor in a resounding fifth-wicket stand.

The dismissal of Taibu sparked a flurry of runs in quick time for Zimbabwe as Taylor first brought up his second half-century of the match, following his knock of 71 in the first innings.

With Craig Ervine adding 35 runs at the other end, Taylor soon registered his maiden century in Test cricket which included nine boundaries as Zimbabwe declared their second innings on 291-5 at tea, setting Bangladesh a formidable target of 375 for victory.

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Highlights: Bangladesh vs Zimbabwe, 1st Test, Day 3, 6 August 2011

Watch today’s Match Bangladesh vs Zimbabwe Cricket Highlights, 1st Test, Day 3 of the series. Ban vs Zim Highlights (zim vs ban), On 6th of  august 2011 (6 aug 2011) 1st Test Match 3rd Day Highlights (Zimbabwe vs Bangladesh). Ban vs Zim Highlights 2011. Bangladesh vs zim Test Cricket Highlights Free. Ban vs Zimbabwe Cricket Highlights Only Test at Harare. Bangladesh vs Zimbabwe Highlights Third Day of First Test. Watch Zimbabwe vs Bangladesh Test Cricket Highlights. Watch Bangladesh tour of Zimbabwe Cricket Highlights 2011.

ZIMBABWE SQUAD
Brendan Taylor (capt), Regis Chakabva, Elton Chigumbura, Hamilton Masakadza, Tino Mawoyo,  Craig Ervine,  Keegan Meth, Chris Mpofu, Ray Price, Vusi Sibanda, Tatenda Taibu (wk), Prosper Utseya, Brian Vitori, Kyle Jarvis.
BANGLADESH SQUAD
Shakib Al Hasan (capt), Tamim Iqbal (vc), Imrul Kayes, Junaid Siddique, Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), Mohammad Ashraful, Mahmudullah, Abdur Razzak, Shafiul Islam, Rubel Hossain, Nazmul Hossain, Shahriar Nafees, Robiul Islam, Nasir Hossain,  Shuvagoto Hom.

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Tigers hope test series win

Zimbabwe took firm control of the one-off first Test match against Bangladesh by stretching their lead to 175 runs at the end of the third day’s play at the Harare Sports Club on Saturday.

Zimbabwe scored 92-4 at stumps on the back of a 69-run opening stand between Vusi Sibanda and Tino Mawoyo. Rubel Hossain picked up the first wicket of the second innings for the tourists when he dismissed Sibanda (38) before Robiul Islam bowled Mawoyo, who scored 38.

Earlier, resuming the day at 107-2, Mohammad Ashraful and Mahmudullah got the Tigers’ innings off to a promising start, adding 29 runs in quick time before Mahmudullah (13) lost his wicket to debutant seamer Brian Vitori.

Ashraful, who was dropped on 47 by Vusi Sibanda, capitalised on his good fortune by cracking a boundary to bring up his eighth half-century in Test cricket.

The enigmatic batsman added 54 runs with skipper Sakib al Hasan for the fifth wicket and looked in ominous touch as he hit some eye-catching boundaries to steer the team clear from trouble.

Ashraful scored 73 off 158 balls, including 10 fours, before giving his wicket away to medium pacer Elton Chigumbura as his attempted late-cut through the slip cordon only found the gloves of wicketkeeper Tatenda Taibu.

Sakib and Mushfiqur Rahim repaired the damage

by adding 51 runs for the sixth wicket as the Bangladesh captain notched up a well deserved half-century.  But Sakib paid the price of playing a rash shot away from his body just after the second new ball was taken.

Sakib made 68 from 88 deliveries with seven fours before Christopher Mpofu forced him into a half-hearted shot to a delivery that he should have left.

The tailenders could not put up much of a fight as the fast bowlers exploited the second new ball to the maximum. The last five batsmen could add only 87 runs as they were dismissed for 287 runs to concede a first innings deficit of 83 runs.

 Debutant pace bowler Brian Vitori was the most successful bowler with 4-66 while Raymond Price and Chigumbura grabbed two wickets each.

Match Highlights:
-----------------------
Only Test: Bangladesh v Zimbabwe.
Stumps - Day 3.
1st Innings:
Zimbabwe 370/10 (Overs 131).
Masakadza 104
Sibanda 78
Shakib 3/62
Rubel 3/84

Bangladesh 287/10 (Overs 96.2).
Ashraful 73
Nafees 50
Shakib 68
Vitori 4/66

2nd Innings:
Zimbabwe 92/4 (Overs 34.3).
Sibanda 38
Mawoyo 35
Shakib 1/9
Razzak 1/22
Zimbabwe lead by 175 runs.

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Bangladesh vs Zimbabwe 1st Test Match Day 2 - Highlights

Zimbabwe vs Bangladesh Only Test Day 2 Highlights 5-8-2011. Watch Bangladesh Tour Of Zimbabwe Series Only Test Day 2 Match Highlights – Zimbabwe vs Bangladesh – The Only Test Day 2 Match From “Harere” Is Going To Be Played On August 5, 2011 Watch Today’s LaTest Day 2 1st Test Day 1 Match Of The Series Playing Between Bangladesh vs Zimbabwe (Ban vs Zim), On 05 August 2011 (05-08-2011) (Zim v Ban). Only Test Day 2 Highlights Match Bangladesh v Zimbabwe (Zim vs Ban).
Watch Complete Cricket HD Highlights And More Here. Stay Here To Watch Full Highlights, Live Scorecard, Live Streaming, Full Scorecard, Quick Scorecard, Match Updates, Teams Analysis, Match Preview, Weather Forecasting, Pitch Report, Prediction And Much More. The Match B/W Zimbabwe v Bangladesh Will Be Started At Harere. Schedule Time Of The Match Is 7:30 GMT, 1:20 PM IST, 12:30 PM BST. Watch Live Match At Geo Super, That Is Live Broadcasting Of Ban v Zim (Lanka v Zim). (Zim v Lanka) 

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Bowlers, Nafees lead Tigers’ fightback

Shahriar Nafees notched up his fifth half-century in Test cricket to stage a fightback for Bangladesh leading them to 107-3 at the stumps on the second day of the one-off Test match against Zimbabwe at the Harare Sports Club on Friday.

Bangladesh were in danger of conceding a huge first innings deficit when debutant pace bowler Brian Vitori dismissed both openers Tamim Iqbal (15) and Imrul Kayes (4) to leave the tourists reeling at 36 for 2 before Shahriar and the experienced Mohammad Ashraful stemmed the rot.

The duo added 66 in their third-wicket partnership, with Nafees contributing highest  50.

Luck was evidently on Nafees’ side as he edged a Kyle Jarvis delivery between the slips and gully for his third boundary of the innings before being dropped at third slip by opener Tino Mawoyo in the very next ball. 

While Nafees rode his luck as a couple of edges narrowly missed the slip cordon, Ashraful in sharp contrast looked rock solid on his way to 34 not out.

Earlier, resuming the second day on 264-2, Hamilton Masakadza and skipper Brendan Taylor started cautiously to take Zimbabwe’s score past 300.

And just when they looked to take the attack to the Bangladeshis, pace bowler Robiul Islam provided the much-needed breakthrough, removing dangerman Masakadza after he recorded a well deserved century – his second in Test cricket.

Masakadza scored 104 off 244 balls, which included eight boundaries and a six, before edging a full length ball from Robiul which was taken smartly by Imrul Kayes at first slip to give the seamer from Satkhira his first Test wicket.

The wicket of Masakadza gave the Bangladeshi bowlers the impetus to impose themselves on the Zimbabwean batsmen as wickets began to fall at regular intervals.

Craig Ervine could manage only six runs before he was trapped lbw off the bowling of Mahmudullah after the off-spinner was given the ball for the first time in the innings on the second day.

Taylor, who made a patient 71 from 164 balls, was next to go after seemingly losing his composure as he attempted to cut a short delivery from Robiul but only managing a thick edge which was taken by Mushfiqur Rahim.  

Robiul reaped the rewards of maintaining a much fuller length throughout day two with two wickets for 106. Another notable factor on the second day was the Tigers’ improved display in the field which laid the foundation for the spinners to mop up the tail.

Former Zimbabwe skipper Tatenda Taibu was the only batsman to offer any resistance against a rampant Tigers’ bowling attack before falling to Sakib for 23.

The Bangladesh skipper ran through Zimbabwe’s lower-order with his left-arm spin to return with figures of 3-62 while Rubel Hossain took the wicket of Raymond Price to add to his two wickets overnight to finish with 3-84. 

Source: Internet

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Bangladesh poor start

Zimbabwe made Bangladesh pay for their poor bowling and fielding reaching 264-2 at stumps on the first day of their first Test match in six years in Harare on Thursday.

 Zimbabwe's top four ensured that their return to Test cricket was impressive as they achieved a balance between aggression and caution. At the end of the day Zimbabwe were 264 for 2. Hamilton Masakadza scored a fluent, unbeaten 88 after debutant Tino Mawoyo and Vusi Sibanda had put on a century first-wicket stand and laid a solid base for the rest to build on.

Bangladesh's bowlers were inconsistent throughout the day, struggled with their lines and lengths and gave the batsmen the luxury of choosing which deliveries to leave and which to play. As a unit, they posed little threat to the batsmen, with the seam bowlers and the left-arm spinners failing to be penetrative and losing motivation as a result.

Mawoyo had a few nerves at the start, which were exposed when he was almost run out in a moment of impulsion; but he settled soon after and showed remarkable poise and patience in his innings. His first runs came with a classy upper cut and a pair of delicious drives. Sibanda took a little longer to settle in but once he did, and was able to put his drive on display, he was almost unstoppable. The Zimbabwe openers were helped by the fact that Bangladesh's seamers failed to exploit the movement on offer early on.

Shafiul Islam bowled with discipline up front and maintained a challenging length but his new-ball partner Robiul Islam was often too short. The only wicket-taker of the innings, Rubel Hossain, got some movement but was unable to use it to claim any scalps, his two strikes coming from wayward shots rather than attacking bowling.

Bangladesh turned to spin in the 13th over with Shakib bringing himself on and getting a surprising amount of turn. Zimbabwe were wary of the threat of left-arm spin and handled him with caution, being careful not to go forward too much. They smothered the spin of both Shakib and Abdur Razzak and in so doing crafted a base from which to push on. By the time lunch was approaching, they had offered the bowlers no chances and only a lapse in concentration caused Mawoyo to chase a short and wide ball. When he was caught at deep backward point, he ended a partnership that, in some ways, mirrored the century first-wicket stand of Kevin Arnott and Grant Flower in Zimbabwe's first Test in

1992, the main difference being that Arnott and Flower took much longer to reach the hundred mark.

Bangladesh showed more intent after lunch, with two edges off the bat of Sibanda going the way of second slip, one put down and the other not carrying. They bowled with a little more zip for the first half an hour but as the Zimbabwe batsman got comfortable the bowlers were demoralised. Sibanda's driving was moving into fifth gear and Masakadza's strong defence and positive attack presented a combination that was too formidable for Bangladesh. The visitors finally captured another wicket midway through the second session when Sibanda hung his bat out to a short ball and got an edge through to Mushfiqur Rahim.

Masakadza was unruffled, illustrating why he is regarded as one of Zimbabwe's most-improved players. His innings was defined by his drives but he pulled with confidence and also worked the ball well on the leg side. — Internet

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