Bangladesh regain command as Mehidy, Shakib spin a web around Zimbabwe

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Bangladesh bowlers rose to the occasion to bring a momentum shift in the match. Zimbabwe who were positioned comfortably at 225/2 saw a collapse that left them all out for 276. With a lead of 237 runs, Bangladesh aimed to pose a daunting target for the hosts.

The day resumed with Brendan Taylor and Takudzwanashe Kaitano at the crease knocking away at 37* and 33* respectively. There were hardly any errors in judgement made by the hosts in their reply barring Taylor’s wicket in the morning session.

The pair added 115 runs for the first wicket before Taylor succumbed to Mehidy Hasan for a well-made 81 that came in 92 deliveries.

With the batters in command, the bowlers found little to no assistance from the pitch despite a controlled bowling effort from Bangladesh pacers. Zimbabwe added 95 runs in the first session taking the lead below 260 into lunch.

The afternoon session saw a complete turnaround in the chain of command as the visitors whipped away three important wickets courtesy of Shakib Al Hasan and Taskin Ahmed.

Dion Myers (27) formed a crucial 49-run partnership with Kaitano but a slog sweep off Shakib was caught on the boundary ropes by Mehidy Hasan.

From 225/2 the hosts witnessed a collapse triggered by Myers’ scalp. Mehidy Hasan brought his A-game and made the ball talk on a pitch that had been deemed a batting paradise.

Kaitano, for a debutant, left an impressive impression. He battled for 311 balls to make 87 which stands as the highest score registered by a Zimbabwe player on debut. His gritty knock came to an end in an anti-climatic fashion with a faint tickle down the leg-side which was caught by keeper Liton Das.

However, the promising start didn’t ensure a promising recovery. Thereafter, Mehidy snared a total of four wickets in a span of just 19 deliveries to complete his eighth five-wicket haul.

The hosts crumbled to 276/10 with Regis Chakabva remaining unbeaten on 31* while Shakib returned with figures of 4/82.

Bangladesh came out to bat with a hefty lead of 192 runs which they expanded to 237 runs at stumps. Day four will resume with the openers, Shadman Islam (22*) and Saif Hassan (20*) still going strong to build upon the solid platform.