Online Reporter
Zimpapers Sports Hub
AFTER a promising start to the second Test match against Bangladesh in Chattogram on Monday, Zimbabwe’s hopes took a dramatic turn for the worse as a late batting collapse in the final session left them reeling at stumps.
Taijul Islam was the architect of Zimbabwe’s downfall, claiming his 16th career five-wicket haul. The Chevrons, who had looked comfortable at 161/2 at tea, crumbled to 227/9 by the close of play.
Having won the toss and elected to bat first, Zimbabwe dominated early exchanges but lost seven wickets for just 66 runs in 34 overs during the third session.
Veteran all-rounder Sean Williams, top-scored with a composed 67, his fifth Test half-century, while Nick Welch contributed 54 before retiring hurt with cramps shortly after tea. Welch, on his return to the crease, would later become Taijul’s fifth wicket.
The Chevrons, who made two changes from the side that played in the first Test, started brightly. Brian Bennett opened with a flurry of boundaries, striking five fours in the first 10 overs. He survived an early scare with a fortuitous boundary but followed up with a sumptuous straight drive and a trademark cover drive. However, Bennett’s aggressive approach cost him as he edged a drive to the keeper, giving Tanzim Hasan his maiden Test wicket.
Bangladesh missed a golden opportunity to tighten the screws when Shadman Islam dropped a sitter in the 14th over, giving Welch a life when he was on just one.
Islam made amends soon after by removing Ben Curran, who inside-edged onto his leg stump for a hard-fought 21 off 50 deliveries.
Zimbabwe dominated the second session, with Williams and Welch controlling proceedings.
Welch, who had earlier played some elegant strokes, became more cautious after lunch, adding just 22 runs off 77 balls. Williams took charge during their third-wicket partnership, peppering the boundary six times.
The duo survived a scare in the 33rd over following a mix-up between the wickets, but Bangladesh failed to capitalise due to poor communication.
However, Welch’s luck ran out after tea as he retired hurt with cramps after facing just one delivery. Nayeem Hasan then struck, removing Craig Ervine for five. Williams followed shortly after, brilliantly caught by Tanzim Hasan at backward square leg. His patient innings of 67 came from 166 deliveries and included a six and seven fours.
Bangladesh bowled with great discipline, conceding just 18 runs in the first 16 overs of the final session. Wessly Madhevere briefly offered resistance with a few boundaries against Nayeem Hasan but was soon undone by a beauty from Taijul Islam, departing for 15.
Islam then cleaned up the lower order, removing Wellington Masakadza and Richard Ngarava in the first over with the second new ball. Debutant Vincent Masekesa was run out shortly after, failing to make it back to the non-striker’s end before Welch returned to the middle.
Welch’s comeback was short-lived as Taijul bowled him to complete his five-wicket haul, ending a day of despair for Zimbabwe.
Zimbabwe made two changes to their line-up for this Test: Vincent Masekesa came in for Victor Nyauchi, while Tafadzwa Tsiga replaced Nyasha Mayavo.
Play resumes at 06:00, with Tsiga unbeaten on 18 and Blessing Muzarabani on two.
