Just three wickets fell on Day 2 of the only Test between Zimbabwe and Bangladesh at the Harare Sports Club, all of them in the final session.
Mahmudullah and Taskin Ahmed batted until after tea to forge a 191-run stand to demoralise Zimbabwe. This is the second-highest ninth-wicket partnership in Test cricket. South Africa’s Mark Boucher and Pat Symcox made 195 against Pakistan in Johannesburg back in 1998.
The Zimbabwe batters responded in style. After batting 41 overs, they finished Day 2 on 114/1 in reply of Bangladesh’s 468.
Bangladesh had resumed Day 2 on 294/8, with Mahmudullah and Taskin in the middle. The pair counterattacked Zimbabwe bowlers since coming on, adding 110 runs in 24 overs to take Bangladesh to 404/8 by lunch.
Richard Ngarava (1-83) created the only chance for Zimbabwe in this period. He found Taskin’s edge when the latter was batting on 32. However, Milton Shumba dropped that in the slip cordon before Taskin notched up his maiden Test half-century.
Zimbabwe seemed to run out of ideas before lunch, but they came strongly after the break. Before drinks in the second session, they bowled 13 excellent overs, creating numerous half-chances and leg-before appeals. But they could not able to carry the momentum forward after the interval.
Finally, Milton Shumba (1-64) broke the mammoth partnership after Taskin (75) went for a slog sweep and missed it completely. The ball hit the stumps. Ebadot Hossain, No. 11, fell for nought to Blessing Muzarabani (4-94) as Bangladesh finished on 468 at tea. Laced with 17 fours and one six in his 278-ball 150, Mahmudullah was the last man standing at the crease.
After fielding 126 overs, Shumba and Takudzwanashe Kaitano got Zimbabwe off to a decent start. They looked calm and composed till 28th over before Shumba (41) went for a slog sweep off Shakib Al Hasan (1-43) and failed to judge the length. The ball hit Shumba’s pads, which was plumbed in front of off stump.
Coming at No. 3, Brendan Taylor (37*), too, did not offer a chance. He, alongside Kaitano (33*), batted through the final session to close on 114/1. They still trail by 354 runs.
Brief Scores:
Bangladesh 468 (Mahmudullah 150*; Blessing Muzarabani 4-94) lead Zimbabwe 114/1 (Brendan Taylor 37*; Shakib Al Hasan 1-43) by 354 runs.