Masekesa shines as Zim hit back in Chattogram Test

Zimpapers Sports Hub

DEBUTANT leg-spinner, Vincent Masekesa starred with three crucial wickets as Zimbabwe clawed their way back into the contest against Bangladesh on day two of the second Test in Chattogram on Tuesday.

After a tough start, Zimbabwe showed great character in the final two sessions, with Masekesa leading the fightback alongside Blessing Muzarabani, Wellington Masakadza and Brian Bennett, each claiming key wickets to halt Bangladesh’s early momentum.

Reflecting on a memorable day, Masekesa said: “Yes sir, I’m very happy. It’s a very special moment for me. I think the team also found itself in a better position today.”

Bangladesh closed the day on 291/7, leading by 64 runs after opener Shadman Islam had earlier struck a composed 120 to anchor their innings.

Day two had started with Zimbabwe losing their final wicket off the first ball of the morning, bowled out for 227. Left-arm spinner Taijul Islam finished with brilliant figures of 6/60 from 27.1 overs. Bangladesh openers Anamul Haque and Shadman Islam piled on the early pressure, putting on an impressive 118-run partnership for the first wicket. Muzarabani gave Zimbabwe a much-needed breakthrough shortly after lunch, trapping Haque lbw for 39 off 80 balls with a delivery that held its line.

Although Shadman and Mominul Haque added another 76 runs for the second wicket, Zimbabwe kept plugging away. Mominul struck a few boundaries in his 33 off 64 balls but eventually holed out to Ben Curran at deep midwicket, giving Zimbabwe fresh hope.

Brian Bennett then struck a massive blow, trapping centurion Shadman Islam lbw for a well-played 120 off 181 balls, opening the door for a Zimbabwean resurgence.

Mushfiqur Rahim and Najmul Hossain Shanto tried to rebuild, attacking Bennett with sixes around the tea interval, but Zimbabwe continued to chip away. Shanto was caught at short midwicket by Nick Welch to hand Masekesa his maiden Test wicket.

An emotional Masekesa admitted he hadn’t quite expected it to happen at that moment, saying:

“Honestly, I wasn’t expecting my first wicket to come at that exact moment, but it meant a lot. Representing Zimbabwe in Test cricket is a big opportunity, and I was really happy.”

Growing in confidence, the 21-year-old struck again soon after, removing Jaker Ali caught and bowled for five.

Later in the day, as the pitch began offering more assistance to the spinners, Masekesa kept it simple.

“Later in the day, the pitch tends to offer more assistance to the spinners. But I believe it’s also about consistently landing the ball in the right areas and letting the wicket do the rest,” he explained.

Zimbabwe’s fielding also rose to the occasion when Wessly Madhevere produced a superb run-out to dismiss Rahim, who had misjudged a quick single off Masekesa’s bowling.

Masekesa capped a memorable day by grabbing his third wicket when Nayeem Hasan edged to Sean Williams at second slip after making just three runs.

While Bangladesh maintained a slight advantage, Masekesa insisted Zimbabwe remained upbeat heading into the third day:

“Bangladesh are playing well, no doubt. But we’re still very much in this game. We’ll keep fighting hard to stay in control tomorrow.”

The young spinner, who finished the day with impressive figures of 3/44 from 14 overs, also opened up about his cricketing inspirations.

“I’ve always been a big fan of leg-spinners Shane Warne, obviously, and most of the Zimbabwean leg-spinners. Growing up, Graeme Cremer was someone I looked up to. I also admire Adil Rashid from England, Chahal from India, Zampa from Australia, and even Rishad from Bangladesh. I watch a lot of them and try to learn.”

Still finding his feet at the highest level, Masekesa admitted he wasn’t yet in a position to speculate on the fourth innings target Zimbabwe might be chasing.

“I’m still learning the nuances of Test cricket, so I wouldn’t be able to say much about the kind of target we might need.”

Nonetheless, his dream debut has injected fresh life into Zimbabwe’s hopes of squaring the series, with everything to play for over the next three days.