Composed Tigers provide hope
"I think bowling-wise, little bit disappointing as we didn't hit the right areas consistently enough. There were little periods when we bowled well but we gave away boundaries and a few too many runs and released the pressure. Tomorrow we would like to rectify and try to break this partnership between Mushfiqur Rahim and Mominul Haque. We know they can both bat a long time and we would like to break that partnership early tomorrow."
Craig Ervine
Zimbabwe captain
Despite a commanding day with the bat, there will be some disappointment among Bangladesh's batsmen about failing to convert their starts into big knocks on the second day of the one-off Test against Zimbabwe at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur yesterday.
The hosts are in control, but Nazmul Hossain Shanto, Tamim Iqbal and Saif Hasan were surely scratching their heads after being unable to cash in and score big on a pitch that was batting-friendly for the second consecutive day.
Aside from that blot, the highlight of the Tigers' batting was their sensible approach and ability to keep stay focused for most of their stay at the crease.
Skipper Mominul Haque and Mushfiqur Rahim provided the hope for Bangladesh when they resume the third day.
Bangladesh ended the second day on a 240 for three and are trailing by 25 runs, with Mominul finally returning to form and heading towards a maiden Test hundred as captain. Mushfiqur also looked solid on thirty.
Saif, who started off with a gorgeous straight drive, paid the price for getting caught at the crease and was the only Bangladesh batsman yesterday to be dismissed for a single-digit score.
It seemed that the Tigers were going to replicate their insecure approach instead of banking on their strengths, but that was not the case as Nazmul and Tamim managed to see through the toughest part by negotiating the shiny red cherry.
It was a welcome sight that Bangladesh batsmen appeared to know where their off stump was and to see them precisely leaving balls that were going away from the stumps.
There were also delightful drives through covers and down the ground, and the delicate pushes towards gully and point reflected the composed attitude from the Tigers, which will surely instill plenty of confidence to the others in the dressing room.
Nazmul will perhaps be the most disappointed to have missed the opportunity to score big as he has been in terrific touch, coming into the Test on the back of a double hundred in the Bangladesh Cricket League.
The left-hander probably played the only loose shot of the innings and paid the ultimate price. He poked at a Charlton Tshuma delivery that had an extra bit of bounce but was going away, getting an edge to the keeper after scoring a well-made 71.
The 21-year-old admitted that he had missed a chance, saying: "Of course, there was a good chance [to score a century] since the wicket is good. In the end, I am happy with the way I batted. But I should have played a big innings as the wicket was really good to bat on."
Nazmul, who made his Test debut in 2017 and has been in and out across the formats, informed that it was a change in mentality that helped develop his batting.
"I feel the mentality has changed a lot. I used to rush previously, but now I play with patience and I try to remain calm at the start. This innings was composed from the beginning," said Nazmul.
It will be interesting to see how Bangladesh fare over the next few days considering that it will be important for the Tigers to keep their focus sharp and regain lost confidence.
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