If you are a left-handed top-order Bangladesh batter, you would not like the sight of Afghanistan’s left-handed pacer Fazalhaq Farooqi steaming in at you with the new ball.
Shakib Al Hasan raised both hands in the air, but his celebration was a little muted for someone who struck his first ton in five years, during a Dhaka Premier League match for Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club against Gazi Group Cricketers at BKSP Ground 4 on Friday.
Relentless pressure, meticulous planning and near-perfect execution from the bowlers have put Sri Lanka in the driving seat against Bangladesh three days into the ongoing Chattogram Test, making the hosts look completely out of depth in comparison.
Bangladesh opener Zakir Hasan admitted that his side suffered a comprehensive failure in the batting department but did mention the wind playing a part in the Tigers’ dismissals on Day 3 of the second Test against Sri Lanka in Chattogram on Monday.
Bangladesh team’s assistant coach Nic Pothas yesterday said the Test team’s batting unit is going through a rebuilding stage and everyone needs to remain patient, a statement that contradicts what other important figures of the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) had said in the days prior.
The ball pitched on around the fifth stump line, then turned back sharply to crash into Zakir’s off stump, ending his innings on 12 off 42 balls.
Tanzid Hasan Tamim and Zakir Hasan came out to bat as play started 20 minutes later than schedule due to rain in the third match of the ODI series against New Zealand in Mirpur on Tuesday.
Joy scored 100 off 114 deliveries, striking 12 fours and two sixes, while left-hander Zakir Hasan added 62 off 72 deliveries with the help of six fours and two sixes. Soumya Sarkar scored 48 off 42 while Sheikh Mahedi smashed a quick-fire 36 off just 19 balls with six fours and a six.
Najmul Hossain Shanto got dismissed for 124 runs as Bangladesh took their lead past 500 runs in the second innings of the one-off Test against Afghanistan in Mirpur on Friday.
Sylhet Strikers batter Zakir Hasan has been among the few local cricketers who have managed to make a mark in the ongoing ninth edition of the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL).