Miraz, Shakib give Bangladesh full control in one-off Test

DHAKA - Bangladesh spinners caught Zimbabwe in
spin web to give the side a full control in the one-off Test after the
third day's game at Harare Sports Club today.

  Offspinner Mehidy Hasan Miraz and left arm spinner Shakib Al Hasan
shared nine wickets between them to leave the hosts in a cornered
state after they began the day promisingly.

  Miraz claimed 5-82, his eight five-for in Test cricket while Shakib
ended with 4-82 as Zimbabwe were folded for 276, handing Bangladesh a
handsome 192 runs lead.

  At the close of the day, Bangladesh reached 45 for no loss,
stretching their lead to 237 runs. Shadman Islam was in the crease
with 22 with his fellow opener Saif Hassan on 20.

  The Tigers were bowled out for 468 in their first innings after
Mahmudullah Riyad led the way, with his career-best 150 not out.

  With Bangladesh searching a wicket early in the morning session of
day three, Brendan Taylor and Kaduzwanashe Kaitano frustrated the
visitor with different approach of batting.

  While Taylor batted fluently and dominated the bowlers, Kaitano
remained cautious to go after the bowlers. Their strategy of caution
and aggression served them well in the morning session as they resumed
the day on 114-1.

  Bangladesh bowlers also couldn't sustain a pressure for a longer
period, which was imperative in a wicket that offered little for the
bowlers.

  However Bangladesh were lucky to have the wicket of Taylor who after
playing excellently, threw away his wicket with a wretched shot.
Taylor struck 81 off 92, hitting 12 fours and one six.

  Taylor's dismissal off Mehidy Hasan Miraz (1-67) bowling brought an
end to the 115-run partnership between him and Kaitano.

  As there was a glimmer of hope to take the control, Kaitano's solid
approach, coupled with fellow debutant Myers aggressive batting
further kept Bangladesh at bay.

  With Zimbabwe looking to take the full control, Bangladesh clawed
back into the game in the afternoon session, claiming three wickets
for four runs.

  Shakib Al Hasan however broke through with the wicket of Myers who
perished to a sweep shot for 27. He then removed Timycen Marum for 0,
also vie leg-before wicket.

  Taskin Ahmed who proved to be the most dangerous bowler for Zimbabwe
was largely luckless. But he got the reward of his tireless job when
Roy Kaia edged one behind wicket-keeper to be out for naught.

  Mehidy Hasan Miraz then gave Bangladesh a reason to cheer, getting
rid of stubborn Kaitano, who offered a catch behind the wicket after
trying flick it. Kaitaon played 311 balls for his 87, studded with
nine fours.

  His dismissal cracked the door open for Bangladesh as Miraz and
Shakib in joint venture cleaned up the tail, forcing Zimbabwe to loss
last five wickets for just 15 runs.

  Bangladesh openers then saw out the day without any fuss,
establishing a full control over the hosts.BSS