Shakib, Miraz help Tigers take a massive lead
Bangladesh ended with a comfortable lead of 237 runs on Day three of their one-off Test against Zimbabwe after Tigers' spinners Mehedi Hasan Miraz and Shakib Al Hasan combined for nine wickets to bundle out the hosts for 276 at the Harare Sports Club today.
Coming in to bat with a massive 192-run lead late on the day, Bangladesh openers Shadman Islam and Saif Hassan ensured the Tigers go unscathed till the end of the day as the visitors managed 45 for no wicket in 17 overs in their second innings at Stumps on Day 3.
Zimbabwe pacers could not pose much of a threat in a flat and dry Harare pitch as Shadman remained unbeaten on 22 with Saif on 20 at the other end.
Earlier, despite a decent start from Zimbabwe on the day, Bangladesh fought back valiantly through their two frontline spinners -- Shakib and Miraz.
Shakib was the one who made the much-needed breakthroughs in the second session of the day, picking up the wickets of debutant Dion Myers and Timycen Maruma in quick succession. Taskin Ahmed then got the reward for his efforts when he finally induced an edge off the bat of Roy Kaia in the 88th over as Zimbabwe went to Tea at 244 for five.
Even though Zimbabwe lost three wickets in the second session, they were still truly not on the backfoot with opener Takudzwanashe Kaitano still out in the middle.
It was, however, Miraz's splendid spell post Tea that helped Bangladesh dominate. The off-spinner picked up four wickets in space of 20 deliveries.
Making things worse for the hosts, Miraz started with the all-important wicket of Kaitano, who had been frustrating the Bangladesh bowlers for a long time. With Kaitano out of the picture after an exemplary patient 311-ball 87, it did not take long for the hosts to fold.
Miraz then trapped in front Donald Tiripano in his next over before knocking the stumps of Victor Nyauchi and Blessing Muzarabani to complete his eighth Test fifer. He ended with splendid figures of five for 82 in 31 overs that included five maidens.
Shakib wrapped things up when he induced an edge off the left-hander Richard Ngarava with Najmul Hossain Shanto taking a good catch at first slip after a slight fumble. Shakib finished with figures of four for 82 in 34.5 overs, featuring 10 maidens.
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