Online Reporter
Sports Reporter
ZIMBABWE cricket captain Craig Ervine believes they lost the second Test against Bangladesh on the afternoon of Day 1.
After winning the toss, Zimbabwe looked comfortable at 177/2 after 67 overs but were bundled out for 227 in 90.1 overs, meaning they lost the last eight wickets for just 50 runs.
Bangladesh then piled 444 in their first innings before bowling Zimbabwe out for 111 on Day 3 to win by an innings and 106 runs and force a series 1-1 draw.
Speaking after the match, Ervine felt their first innings total was never going to sustain them.
“We knew it was a really good wicket to bat on first. The first day, for a long period, we did a lot of things right but let it slip towards the end. 227 in the first innings, you are always behind the eight-ball. The way they (Bangladesh) batted, they batted us out of the game.”
Zimbabwe batsmen made starts but squandered opportunities to put up competitive totals.
“A bit of a concern when you get starts because the hardest part in cricket is getting in. Their spinners built pressure, did not give easy runs. It was a case of grafting, spending time out in the middle and that is something we did not do. Playing here in the subcontinent, the guys will take a lot of learnings from this series.”
He spoke on debutant Vincent Masekesa, who claimed five wickets.
“Guys are really chuffed for him. He has a bright future, his attitude is outstanding. Getting five wickets on debut is outstanding.”
The Chevrons now prepare for the trip to England for a historic Test.
“We now head across to England, which will be different (in terms of conditions), and we are then back home. Tough competition coming up and this series is hopefully the start of a good winter for us. Sylhet was fantastic, the hotel was exceptional. We just had a picture, Sean, me, the physio, Phil Simmons – we were all here in 2016 as well. The guys really enjoyed being in Bangladesh.”
