Online Reporter
Tinashe Kusema
Zimpapers Sports Hub
ZIMBABWE must rediscover their fielding standards today after six dropped catches handed Bangladesh a route back into the series and forced a deciding third T20I at Queens Sports Club.
The Chevrons spent much of yesterday’s training session working on their catching following a sloppy display in Friday’s 34-run defeat, which left the three-match series tied at one game apiece.
Head coach Justin Sammons made no attempt to hide his frustration after Zimbabwe repeatedly failed to back up their bowlers in the field.
“To be honest, I thought, from a bowling point of view, we actually bowled fairly decently up until the 20th over, which obviously wasn’t good,” said Sammons.
“The bowlers created chances, but the fielders didn’t back them up with the catching.
“You are not going to win games of cricket by dropping six or seven catches. Really, really poor from a catching point of view.”
Bangladesh’s Saif Hassan and Tanzid Hasan shared an opening stand of 120, with both batsmen scoring half-centuries after Zimbabwe put the tourists in to bat.
The pair were helped by five dropped catches during their partnership as Bangladesh took early control.
The Chevrons briefly recovered, taking five wickets for 21 runs to pull the tourists back from a total that had appeared likely to pass 180.
But Bangladesh regained momentum by plundering 28 runs from the final over before bowling Zimbabwe out for 152.
Zimbabwe bowling consultant Quinton Friend said the missed chances had left the hosts under pressure from the start.
“When you drop five catches in that short space of time, you know you are probably going to be under pressure straight away,” he said.
“If we had held on to those chances, it would have been a totally different ball game.
“This was the first time they had been put under serious pressure and, unfortunately, we didn’t deal with that pressure well enough towards the back end of the innings.
“And 28 runs off the last over is a bit of a killer in that instance.”
The defeat denied Zimbabwe the opportunity to seal the T20I series with a match to spare and gave Bangladesh a chance to end an otherwise difficult tour on a high. Bangladesh are seeking their first T20I series victory of the year after drawing 1-1 with New Zealand and losing 3-0 to Australia.
Zimbabwe, meanwhile, have enjoyed a strong year, highlighted by their Super Eight appearance at the T20 World Cup.
They carried that form into their first assignment since the tournament, beating Bangladesh by an innings and 85 runs in the one-off Test before taking the One-Day International series 2-1.
Victory today would complete an impressive tour for the Chevrons, but Sammons admitted Friday’s performance had affected the mood in the camp.
“The mood is rather down after Friday’s game, with the guys disappointed with themselves,” he said.
“They know they let themselves down, but I’m sure we will get back up.
“We still want to walk away with a series win, and I am sure the guys will give their absolute all in the third and final T20.”
Zimbabwe have already secured the Test and ODI honours.
Today, their catching may determine whether they complete a successful tour or allow Bangladesh to leave Bulawayo with the final prize.
