Bangladesh in Zimbabwe, 2013

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The last 18 months have largely been encouraging for Bangladesh, and they had a pretty decent tour of Sri Lanka and an ODI series win against the West Indies recently. So they should be more confident than ever, going into this tour. they do have injury concerns. Mashrafe Mortaza didn't even make the test squad with injury, star players Tamim Iqbal and Shakib Al Hasan are expected to play a limited role in the early part of the tour.
As for Zimbabwe, after an encouraging return to the test fold where they started off by defeating Bangladesh and challenging Pakistan and New Zealand, thinks have fallen away quite a bit. They haven't been able to put up much of a challenge against the West Indies in the recent tour, and the occasional rifts between the board and players can evolve into a crisis any time. Craig Ervine, the younger brother of Shaun, has refused a ZC winter contract, and isn't available for the Bangladesh series either.
For Bangladesh, this is a tour to show the world that they are attaining greater consistency and continue the process of putting together a confident outfit. For Zimbabwe, this is an opportunity to start things a fresh.
So an interesting series on the cards, in the midst of all the T-20 excitement generated by the IPL.

Sohag Gazi was kept back for quite long by skipper Mushfiqur, but he was eventually introduced into the attack as Brendan Taylor was building yet another good innings after his early struggles against Roviul Islam and Gozi got the Zimbabwe skipper to play an injudicious lofted shot and he picked out deep midwicket. Taylor went for 36 and Elton Chigumbura joined Waller and Elton is playing his natural attacking game and has moved along to a run a ball 19. Zimbabwe 125-4. Bangladesh need to send Elton packing soon, he scores quickly, and can take the attack to the bowlers.

Zimbabwe finish the day on 158-4. Chigumbura on 45 of just 49, and Malcolm Waller on a lot more sedate 30 notout. Elton's innings has kept Zimbabwe in the game, but at this stage, Bangladesh are in front. There is spin on the track and both Shakib and Gazi bowled alright, and Robiul Islam was terrific throughout the day. The Zimbabwe lower order can certainly bat, so it won't be easy for Bangladesh, but they'd take 158-4 after stretching their innings to 391 today.

Elton Chigumbura, who was batting like a runaway train yesterday, has adopted a more solit approach today. But Malcolm Waller, who batted quite solidly yesterday, gifted his wicket away with a reckless shot, pulling a short one from Sohag Gazi down to Shakib Al Hasan. Wicketkeeper Richmond Mutumbami is with Elton at the middle, and Zimbabwe are 187-5.

a 5 wicket haul from Robiul Islam, ably supported by Sohag Gazi who took 4 wickets and the rest of the attack provided Bangladesh a 109 run first innings lead. Elton Chigumbura resisted well to score 86 but ones he was out, Bangladesh managed to find a way through the rest of the Zimbabwe lineup. Wicketkeeper Richmond Mutumbami, playing only his 2nd test, scored 42, and provided Elton valuable support after Malcolm Waller gave away his wicket early in the day.
But Bangladesh's second has started with a top order collapse, Tamim Iqbal, Jahurul Islam and Mohammed Ashraful are all gone without doing much. Shakib and Mominul Haque are at the crease and Bangladesh are 43-3 at tea.

Shingi Masakadza breaks through for Zimbabwe. He has been bowling some pretty sharp short stuff at Mominul and then slipped in a fuller one on a good line, Mominul edged and Hamilton was there to complete the job of his brother's bowling. Bangladesh 65-4.

Shakib and Mushfiqur rebuilding for Bangladesh. 127-4. Zimbabwe losing their discipline in the last 20 minutes or so, no-balls, too many balls down the leg side, and most importantly, a drop catch of Shakib.

Shakib's been struggling a bit against Cremer. A few LBW shouts, getting beaten a couple of times and not quite picking his variations.

50 for Shakib, his 2nd of the match. Bangladesh 140-4. Lead by 249.

Goodness, Shakib has done it again, did all the hardwork, brought his side out of a mess, got to 50, and then played a nothing shot to get out, this time of a parttimer, Hamilton Masakadza, a nothing slash at a wide delivery and he just edged it to the keeper. He goes for 59, Bangladesh 149-5. Would need another 100 runs to make the game safe.

50 for the Bangladesh skipper. Good knock from Mushfiqur, his 2nd 50 of the match. Bangladesh need him to carry on longer though.

Bangladehs end the day on 163-5. One wicket too many but think they'll take it. They lead by 272 and Nasir and Mushfiqur are there to try and stretch it a bit more to safer domains tomorrow. If Bangladesh manage to bat till lunch tomorrow, that lead will be healthy and Zimbabwe will have a big ask to save the game from there on.

Bangladesh have managed to bat out the first session, only losing 2 more wickets. Nasir and Mushfiqur their partnership to 84. The Bangladesh skipper missed his ton by 7 runs when he was out to a fine catch from Sibanda of Hamilton Masakadza. Ziaur Rahman went soon after, but Nasir, in the company of Sohag Gazi, have taken Bangladesh to 251-7 at lunch. They lead by 360.

Hamilton Masakadza picked up his 3rd wicket to pack off Sohag Gazi soon after lunch, but Nassir has now brought up his 50, like Shakib and Mushfiqur, his 2nd of the match and Bangladesh are 267-8.

Second new ball taken, and its Shingi into the attack, replacing his brother

Bangladesh 291-9. Lead up to 400.

And they've declared. Yet another impressive effort from young Nasir. Not out on 67 and played with responsibility with the lower order to push the lead up to 400.

Zimbabwe have just under 4 and a half sessions to get 401 - time certainly isn't a factor, they just need to bat. Come on Zimbabwe!

Zimbabwe 100-3 at the moment. Time certainly doesn't look like a problem at the moment for them. There is another 19 overs to be bowled today and then there is the entire last day. But they have lost 3 wickets, including the big one of captain Brendan Taylor. Hamilton Masakadza is still there batting on 31, and the usually solid Malcolm Waller has joined him. Shakib got the openers, and Ziaur Rahman got Taylor, his first wicket in test cricket.

Now Zia cleans up Waller. Shingi joins his brother. Zimbabwe will be hoping that the Masakadzas would see the day through for them.

So the Masakadza brothers have indeed seen the day through for Zimbabwe. Hamilton on 46, Shingi on 7. Entire day tomorrow. Bangladesh need 6 wickets, Zimbabwe need another 263 runs. A big partnership can get Zimbabwe closer. Hamilton has fought through indifferent form to post a start, Elton Chigumbura is yet to come. Shingi, Mutumbami, Meth, Cremer, are all useful with the bat. So All's not lost for Zimbabwe.
But Bangladesh will be the happier side going into day 5. They managed to stretch the lead pass 400, and they've already taken 4 Zimbabwe wickets. They'd have dearly loved to have one more but overall, they needn't be too disappointed with today's effort. There is some help for the spinners and Gazi and Shakib are good at their work. The quicker bowlers also have some life from this track even now, and so Bangladesh should believe they could do it.

Nasir hossain is a world class prospect, would be breaking into most teams with his ability, he bats with pure confidence as well - unlike many other BD players, he has a winner's mentality

Nasir has had a very impressive international career so far. A confident batsman who has already developed a decent range of shots. Has shown fine temperament in many a testing situation already. Fine fielder, think his bowling is underrated and often he's underbowled.

Zimbabwe aren't going down easily. 189-6. The Masakadza brothers resisted hard today morning. Great effort from Shingi, unlike his elder brother who's batting on 68, Shingi is a bowler who can bat a bit and not really a batsman as such. But he scored 24, and held up the Bangladesh bowlers for 28 overs and played out 90 balls. Eventually the goldan arm of Mohammed Ashraful got him, LBW on an attempted sweep. Soon after though, Elton Chigumbura gave it away with a poor shot against Sohag Gazi. Richmond Mutumbami joined Hamilton and they are continuing to fight for their side.

Poor bowler management from Mushfiqur again. Bangladesh have made progress under his leadership and his own batting form has improved significantly since becoming captain, but this is one area where he really need to improve. Sajidul Islam, the 2nd seamer in the side has bowled only 3 overs so far. Even more surprisingly, Shakib, who provided the 2 early break throughs, have bowled only 9 overs so far, and hasn't bowled today. Sohag Gazi, who himself was seriously underbowled in the first test, has already bowled 27 overs.

Bangladesh just 1 wicket away, Hamilton Masakadza is battin on 101, deserved ton for him, but he can't save Zimbabwe here. Ziaur Rahman with 4 wickets for Zimbabwe.

Series leveling win for Bangladesh, Hamilton Masakadza fought hard and remained not out with a much deserved hundred, but a chase of 400 was always going to be difficult and so it proved.
Bangladesh's senior players put their hands up. Tamim Iqbal was unlucky with his 2nd innings dismissal, but he had provided a solid start up front in the first innings although he should think hard about the way he gave it away. Shakib scored very important 50s in both innings, and picked up 4 wickets. Perhaps his bowling fitness is not exactly hundred %, hence Mushfiqur being selective with using him too much and he should certain ly regret it big it time about the way he gave it away with the bat when he should have converted one of those into a hundred. Superb effort from the skipper with the bat in both innings, and credit to him, he made the bowlers earn his wicket. Mushfiqur was solid with the gloves as well.
The young and quickly maturing Nasir Hossain played a superb hand in both innings with the bat. Robiul Islam was outstanding in the first innings and should great levels of fitness in managing over 100 overs across the series. Looks like Bangladesh have at last found a decent fast bowling option after Mortaza. Sohag Gazi provided the captain good control, and picked up 5 wickets in the match, although he might have games where he would bowl much better for less reward. Ziaur Rehman too had a memorable debut test. He was underbowled in the first innings and didn't do much with the bat although he has a reputation of being a bowling all-rounder. But he proved his worth in the Zimbabwe 2nd innings, picking up 4 valuable wickets. Even Mohammed Ashraful made a contribution to the team cause despite his failing with the bat by breaking that partnership between the Masakadza brothers.

For Zimbabwe, Shingi Masakadza bowled well in both innings, and Meth, before his injury showed good promise, and with Kyle Jarvis, they can form a pretty decent pace bowling unit that can thrive in some helpful conditions. Hamilton Masakadza was superb in that 2nd innings, and Elton Chigumbura played a useful balancing act with both bat and ball.

After an exciting test series, Zimbabwe and Bangladesh resume battle in the ODI format. The first ODI has just got underway. Zimbabwe won the toss and are fielding. Tamim Iqbal and Mohammed Ashraful opening the innings for Bangladesh.

As expected, Robiul Islam is making his ODI debut for Bangladesh. They've preferred Abdur Razzak over Sohag Gazi as Shakib's spin partner. Fair enough, although Gazi turns the ball a lot more, and has the makings of a class act for Bangladesh in years to come, Razzak has lots of experience, he's the highest ODI wicket taker for his side, and has been in fine form recently. Mahmudullah and Nasir Hossain are there to provide some offspinning options as well.

Bangladesh 42 without loss after 10. Ashraful on 14, Tamim on 21.

A dominant 121 run win for Bangladesh in the first ODI. Nasir Hossain led the way with the bat yet again with a confident and pleasing 68, and with handy contributions from Mahmudullah, Mominul Haque, Tamim Iqbal and Ashraful, Bangladesh posted 269 in their 50 overs. After 2 early wickets, Brendan Taylor and Hamilton Masakadza seemed to provide a spirited response, but then came Ziaur Rahman. From 78-2, Zimbabwe collapsed to 93-7, and there was no way back despite some effective slogging from Shingi Masakadza and Malcolm Waller. Eventually Zia broke through for Bangladesh, and Zimbabwe were all out for 148.

The 2nd ODI is now going on. Bangladesh batted first, and despite a number of their batsmen, Mominul Haque, Mushfiqur Rahim, Shakib Al Hasan, Nassir Hossain and Mahmudullah getting to 20s or 30s, none of them managed a substantial score and Zimbabwe were on top, But then came Abdur Razzak, who smashed 53 of just 22 balls to help his side post a decent total, 252 on the board. Although Hamilton Masakadza was out early, Sibanda and Sikandar Raza put together a 65 run partnership and Zimbabwe were going along close to 6 an over before Shakib intervened, he dismissed Sibanda one short of his 50, and then Shafiul Islam got Raza for 23 to reduce Zimbabwe to 95-3. Shaun Williams and skipper Brendan Taylor out in the middle, and Zimbabwe are 100-3 after 19 overs.

Zimbabwe are fighting back through a healthy partnership between Williams and Taylor. They've so far put together 56. Zimbabwe are 150-3 after 31. 103 runs of 19 overs. If Zimbabwe bat the 50 overs, they should reach the target. Bangladesh need wicket, but both the batsmen are looking comfortable out there.

So Bangladesh's tour of Zimbabwe ends with the visitors winning the last T-20I by 34 runs. Shakib Al Hasan took 4-22 for Bangladesh, His 40, along with a quick 43 from Tamim Iqbal and a handy contribution from Nasir Hossain allowed Bangladesh to score 168, and then Zimbabwe folded for 134 in their chase.
Right through the series, neither team proved their superiority clearly. Zimbabwe won the first test by a massive margin, but Bangladesh came back in the 2nd test with an impressive win. Zimbabwe took the 3 match ODI series after losing the first game by a huge margin. They won the first T-20I as well, but Bangladesh came back today.
For Bangladesh, the core group of players who have been coming together in recent times performed well. Shakib Al Hasan found his touch from the 2nd test onwards, and although he managed to throw away a number of promising knocks without making them real big, his batting was consistent throughout. As usual, his bowling remained economical and effective, the emergence of Robiul Islam and Sohag Gazi has given him some space as well. Tamim Iqbal provided some decent starts, although his inability to turn starts into big knocks remain a concern. Young Nasir Hossain continues to impress in all formats, the lad is showing maturity beyond his years, and has great skills of adaptability. Skipper Mushfiqur Rahim has been his sides leading batsman of the tour along with Shakib and Nasir and his glove work also remained good. He resigned from the captaincy after the ODI series loss though, and that seems to have taken some focus away from the cricket. Robiul Islam's emergence is good news for Bangladesh, he looks like a decent seam bowling option for them. Ziaur Rahman, Mohammad Ashraful, Sohag Gazi, Abdur Razzak, all chipped in at avarious points, although Bangladesh would like more such performances to come together more often.
As for Zimbabwe, the series provided some relief after a pretty poor tour of the West Indies. They couldn't take much of home advantage after that first test, but they've proved that they aren't far away from Bangladesh. Their batting is a touch too dependent on skipper Brendan Taylor, although Hamilton Masakadza started finding some consistency towards the end of the 2nd test. Besides them, no batsman could really produce consistent performances. Sibanda was quite disappointing in the test matches, and Elton Chigumbura has been far too hit or miss. But the good news is the emergence of a decent pace bowling unit that could prove a handful in helpful conditions against good opposition. Kyle Jarvis, Shingi Masakadza, Keegan Meth, Brian Vitori, Tendai Chatara and some support from Elton, they have a decent unit there.
The quality of cricket wasn't the greatest all the time, although it has been an entertaining series. But the quality of the umpiring has been rather poor throughout the tour, it has to be said.

I wonder what the series scores would have been with good umpiring, BD were screwed over hugely, wasnt as bad as their normal games, zim got few bad decisions aswell, but 5 ball over in a 20 overs match, seriously, that wasnt even the worst call

The umpiring was really sub-standard, both sides suffered, Bangladesh more so than Zimbabwe did.