Zim off to firm response

CHITTAGONG. — Hamilton Masakadza and Sikandar Razar struck half centuries and powered Zimbabwe to a firm, if not strong reply, as they chased Bangladesh’s mammoth 503 on the second day, of the third Test, that closed amid fireworks from both sides.

Zimbabwe were 113 for one at stumps with Raza and Masakadza on unbeaten fifties on a day when they played as if this was an ODI contest.

The visitors have more than just a fair distance to cover to remain competitive in the game but that didn’t stop Raza and Masakadza, who said before the game that they would go all out for the win, to go after the Bangladesh bowling and pick up easy boundaries.

Raza was unbeaten on 54 off 65 balls, having struck nine boundaries.

He was severe against anything pitched in his half by Shafiul Islam and Taijul Islam, and used his feet very well against the spin.

He drove the ball with confidence though there were moments when he looked slightly like losing control while attacking the spinners.

This was Raza’s third Test fifty, and it complemented the surprising role he had played with the ball in picking up three wickets. Masakadza also reached his sixth half-century, off 71 balls.

He played a relatively subdued role, but still struck seven fours and one six, a big hit over midwicket off Shakib Al Hasan.

Rubel picked up the only wicket of the day for Bangladesh, getting Brian Chari to thinly edge one to the keeper in the second over.

The decision, initially given not out, had to be reviewed by Mushfiqur Rahim and he was proved right as the third umpire heard or saw something that amounted to an edge.

This continued Rubel’s great day after he had hammered four sixes towards the end of the Bangladesh innings.

Rubel’s unbeaten career-best 45, coming off 44 balls with four sixes through midwicket and two fours, took the score past the 500-run mark. He shared a 51-run tenth wicket stand with Jubair Hossain, who was the final wicket to fall, in the 154th over. Panyangara, Shingirai Masakadza and Hamilton Masakadza took two wickets apiece but Natsai M’shangwe went wicketless through 47 overs. — Cricinfo