Shakib leads the charge as Tigers fight back
Ace all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan made the much-needed breakthroughs in the second session of day Three as Bangladesh fought back with the ball against hosts Zimbabwe in the one-off Test at Harare today.
The Zimbabwe batters had dictated proceedings in the morning session with Brendan Taylor in particular going after Shakib in the all-rounder's earlier spells. The Tigers however curbed things back with Taylor's wicket in the first session. Shakib came back in the second session with two wickets by cutting off the batsmen' shots. First, he lulled debutant Dion Myers into a slog sweep that fell to man at fine leg before he trapped Timycen Maruma out leg-before for a 17-ball duck. Both batsmen gifted their wickets while it looked like Zimbabwe were going to keep the runs ticking and put on a big first innings score.
Taskin Ahmed, who bowled well but was often unlucky not to grab a wicket, then struck in the 87th over as Roy Kaia nicked one through to the wicket-keeper to depart for a duck as well. Having started the session at 209 for 2, Zimbabwe ended it at 244 for 5, losing three wickets for 35 runs as Tigers drastically managed to stem the flow of runs.
Debutant Takudzwanashe Kaitano was Zimbabwe's hero on the third Day, standing between the Tigers and their target as the youngster, who was making his debut, remained unbeaten on a 282-ball 82 before Tea was called.
Shakib meanwhile remained Tigers' most influential bowler with three wickets for 74 runs after 32 overs in day where the bowlers toiled through most of the morning and afternoon sessions.
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