SPORT
Bangladesh spinner nightmare for Zimbabwe
Wellington Toni
BANGLADESH spinner Enamul Haque Junior took seven wickets as Zimbabwe A were skittled for 188, leaving the hosts trailing by 275 runs at close of play on the second day of the first four day match played at Queens Sports Club yesterday.
Zimbabwe had closed on 57 for the loss of three wickets on the first day, but could not deal with Haque Jnr’s spin when they tried to close the gap on the tourists.
Bangladesh compiled 254 in their first innings on Sunday with Roqibul Hassan and Mahmud Ullah on a century and half century respectively. Craig MacMillan returned figures of four wickets for 64 runs and former national team paceman Blessing Mahwire was 348.
Zimbabwe resumed play with Terrence Duffin and Graeme Cremer at the crease on 22 and nil respectively and Cremer fell first, given out leg before wicket for six.
The middle order crumbled under Haque Jnr’s spinGregory Strydom caught by Rahim Mishfiqur trying to play off the ball on eight and SK Rassel completed the middle order routing claiming the scalp of Craig Ervine for two.
At one stage, Zimbabwe were 481 and crumbled to 7177clear signs that the hosts will not be able to out the tourists against the wall.
Duffin held on for his first class halfcentury, which came after a patient 130 balls after 177 minutes and included six boundaries. It was a good performance by the opener and he remains Zimbabwe’s best hope if the bowlers do their job today.
It was then left to Haque Jnr – the man who destroyed Zimbabwe in the last series – to complete the rout although he met resistance from Mahwire. Tafadzwa Mufambisi was bowled for nine, but Mahwire went on to reach 35 before he was bowled out.
MacMillan was given out leg before wicket on 14, as Zimbabwe’s chances of reaching the tourists’ first innings total crumbled.
Haque Jnr returned figures of 747.
Bangladesh A started with an advantage of 66, but the opening pair of Nafees Ahmed and Roqibul Hassan did not start off well todayAhmed out leg before wicket off a Macmillan delivery still struggling at five.
MacMillan’s second wicket was Hassanhis furious ball saw the Bangladeshi edging the ball to Tafadzwa Mufambisi to retire at 25. Bangladesh were reeling at 348 and it seemed Zimbabwe was well on course in the match.
Bangladesh were rescued by a half century from Toshar Imran (52), before he fell to a Mahwire delivery and Wassel Udim’s 46, leaving the tourists at 4136.
Uddim was out leg before wicket from a Strydom delivery, but had done enough to increase the gap between the two teams.
Mahmud Ullah, looking sharp on the crease was unbeaten on 37 and Dihman Ghosh on 19 at close of play after 61 overs.
With a lead of 275 and with five wickets in a hand, Bangladesh are poised for a big lead unless Zimbabwe’s bowling improves.
Ian Nicholson spell of 11 overs gave the tourists 49 runs for now wicket and Cremer bowled 14 overs and gave away 61 runs for no wicket. MacMillan was economic taking two wickets for 14, Mahwire returning figures of 244 and Strydom giving way 37 runs for his sole wicket after 12 overs.
Scoreboard
Bangladesh 1st Innings (254Hassan 100, Ullah 55, Macmillan 4064, Mahwire 348)
Zimbabwe 1st Innings
T Duffin lbw El Haque Jnr .................................................. ................................65
V Sibanda b Hossam .................................................. .........................................8
D Ebrahim c Ghosh b Hossam............................................ .................................0
K Samunderu lbw E Haque Jnr .................................................. .......................15
G Cremer lbw E Haque Jnr............................................... ...................................6
G Strydom c Mishfiqur b E Haque Jnr............................................... ...................8
C Ervine c Ghosh b SK Rassel............................................ ................................2
T Mufambisi b E Haque Jnr .................................................. ..............................9
B Mahwire b E Haque .................................................. .....................................35
C McMillan lbw b E Haque Jnr .................................................. ......................14
I Nicholson not out............................................... .................................................1
Extras (6 leg byes, 4 wide, 15 no balls)............................................ ................25
Total (54.5 overs)............................................ ................................................18 8
Fall of wickets: 118, 218, 355, 481, 599, 6102, 7117, 8146, 9187, 10188
Bowling: SK Russel 122371, Hossam 152602, E Haque Jnr 16.52477, Sharif 102330
Bangladesh 2nd Innings
N Ahmed lbw MacMillan .................................................. ...................................5
R Hassan c Mufambisi b MacMillan .................................................. ................25
S Rahman c Ebrahim b Mahwire........................................... ............................15
T Imran c Ervine b Mahwire........................................... ....................................52
W Modim lbw Strydom........................................... ...........................................46
M Ullah not out............................................... .................................................. ..37
D Ghosh not out............................................... .................................................. 19
Extras (4 leg byes, 6 no balls)............................................ ................................10
Total (61 overs, five wickets).......................................... ..........................209
Fall of wickets: 113, 245, 348, 4136, 5159
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