Sundaymail Editor
Don Makanyanga
Sports Reporter
IT has taken 29 years, more than Kudakwashe Kaitano’s lifetime, to break a standing record of most runs on debut by a Zimbabwe opening batsman.
Kaitano, who on Friday grabbed the headlines following an unforgettable Test debut for Zimbabwe, had not yet been born when the record he broke was set by one of Zimbabwe’s fine cricketers, Grant Flower, on October 18,1992.
The 28-year-old Zimbabwe opening batsman’s 87 runs off 311 balls against Bangladesh at Harare Sports Club became the highest score by an opening batsman since Grant Flower’s 82 runs off 297 balls in the Chevrons’ inaugural Test against India in 1992.
Making his debut appearance for the national team was a dream come true for Kaitano and that he broke a record on his maiden appearance for the Chevrons was the icing on the cake.
The Rhinos batsman could not hide his joy as he was at a loss for words at finally seeing his dream of donning the Zimbabwe Test green cap coming to reality.
“I cannot really express (feeling), it’s a very special feeling.
“It has always been my dream to play for Zimbabwe, making the debut is a dream come true, for me to be here and finally play Test Cricket for my country is unexplainable,” said Kaitano.
Despite being on cloud nine for achieving his childhood dream and breaking a 28-year record, the Zimbabwe opening batsman felt disappointed for failing to hit a century and steer the Chevrons into the driving seat in the once-off Test against Bangladesh which ends today.
“It is a good feeling to achieve such a feat, but obviously you would want to get over the line and get a big score especially with the conditions that
we are playing on . . . the wicket is very good.
“I would have really wanted to go and make a good score to put the team in a (winning) position but I guess it is one of those things.
“Going forward I will take each innings as it comes and I guess it is cricket and we have to keep going as a team. We would have wanted to bat for longer and keep digging into their total.
“Unfortunately we found ourselves back in the field (fielding) again,” he said.
Coming off a century with 13 runs, Kaitano became the first batsman to fail to reach the hundred mark in 20 instances of opening batsmen who faced 300 plus balls in a debut Test match.
Meanwhile, Bangladesh are seven wickets shy of victory going into today’s fifth and final day of the Test.
Najmul Hossain Shanto (117) and Shadman Islam (115) clattered centuries as Bangladesh declared on 284 for 1 in their second innings, leaving Zimbabwe to chase an improbable target of 477 in four and a half sessions in Harare.
The pair added 196 runs for the second wicket, which became Bangladesh’s highest second-wicket stand against Zimbabwe, eclipsing Habibul Bashar and Javed Omar’s efforts in Chattogram in 2001.
When Zimbabwe came out to bat in the second innings, Bangladesh greeted them with spin at both ends.
And once again, the duo of Taylor and Kaitano looked to offer resistance with the pair putting up a defiant 95-run second wicket partnership off 138 balls.
However, three wickets fell, including those of Taylor (92) and Kaitano (seven), to leave the hosts on 140 for three.
They will either be required to score 337 runs for victory, or try to bat out the day and force a draw.
Online Reporter