Shakib shines in series win

He is called a game changer. When opponents tend to study the Bangladesh national team, Shakib Al Hasan is the first name they discuss, for his ability, talent and perseverance can alone change a game in a jiffy. So when the left-hander sported another match-winning performance in the second Test against Zimbabwe in Khulna yesterday which the Tigers won by 162 runs and thereby confirmed the series, it was not much of a surprise.

Such has been the player's level of consistency that people naturally expect him to perform. Yesterday though, his consistent performance received a comparison; one which outlines a path to potential greatness.

The 27-year-old reached new heights yesterday when he became only the third player in Test history, after the greats Ian Botham and Imran Khan to score a century and claim 10 wickets in a match.

Shakib's heroics also brought him back to the number one position in the top Test all-rounders' list.

The performance also ensured that Bangladesh overtake Zimbabwe and jump to number nine in the Test rankings. There were a host of performers in the last Test. Tamim Iqbal hit a hundred after a four-year break, Mahmudullah Riyad and Mominul Haque scored half-centuries and kept the team alive, two young spinners Taijul Islam and Jubair Hossain put in their best efforts, but ultimately it was Shakib who took the Tigers over the line.

Shakib's five-wicket haul in the second innings was ably aided by Taijul and Jubair, who took the remaining scalps as Zimbabwe folded for 151 runs in pursuit of 314.

It is only the second time that Bangladesh have won two consecutive Tests. The last time they achieved the feat was against a depleted West Indies team in 2009. As a result, these wins are bound to be sweeter for Mushfiqur Rahim and Co. On a personal note, this was Bangladesh's third win under Mushfiqur, the most by any Bangladeshi captain so far.

The day did not start off very well for the Tigers as their batting did not gather the expected pace which ultimately compelled them to declare their innings much later than the original plan. Until then it was Shuvagata Hom's maiden half-century that helped the Tigers prolong.

By the time the hosts declared, they had just 68 overs in hand to enforce a series win.

Taijul began the carnage by taking a return catch to dismiss Brian Chari in the fifth over and then Shakib removed Sikandar Raza who edged one to a close-in fielder. By the lunch time, Zimbabwe were already in trouble at 13 for 2. Soon after the start Shakib dismissed captain Brendan Taylor in a similar fashion.

The ball was keeping low and the Zimbabwe batsmen were crumbling under pressure. However, the two first innings centurions -- Hamilton Masakadza and Regis Chakabva -- fought back with a 70-run stand for the third wicket.

The hosts needed something special to break the stand and that came in the form of a googly from Jubair Hossain. The 19-year-old bowled one from the back of the hand which Chakabva leaned forward to defend only for the ball to turn and collect an inside edge, which was well taken by Mahmudullah Riyad in the slips.

Masakadza, the other dangerman was out to a Shakib-delivery that had an extra bit of bounce. Soon after his fall, the Zimbabweans fell like ninepins to collapse for 151. They lost their last five wickets for 14 runs.

The two teams will fly to Chittagong today where they will play the third and final Test and the first two ODIs of the five-match series.