Scoring a glorious unbeaten 219, picture perfect Mushfiqur Rahim became the first and only wicket keeper batsman scoring two double hundred in test cricket. He was also the first Bangladeshi batsman scoring a double hundred when he scored exactly 200 against Sri Lanka at Galle in 2014. [ফুল স্কোরকার্ড দেখতে এখানে ক্লিক করুন] His is the only double hundred scored in test in 2018 and the highest score by Bangladeshi batsman in test eclipsing 217 scored by Shakib Al Hasan against New Zealand. He also featured in two partnership records of 266 for the fourth wicket with another maestro Mominul and another unbeaten 144 with young Mehedi Hasan Miraz for the unbroken 8^th wicket Mehedi scored unbeaten 68*. Bangladesh declared scoring massive 522/7 and went on reducing Zimbabwe to 25/1 at stumps of day two. Would one believe that Bangladesh in none of its past 8 test innings could cross 200. Bangladesh looks in complete control now in the test and only a miracle can let Zimbabwe avoiding defeat.  The marathon innings of Mushfiqur of 421 balls and spanning over 9 hours at the wicket was exemplary in the sense that he never put a step wrong. It was a classic example of batting with concentration, application and patience. Wonder how almost the same batting unit only a week back scored got bundled out for 143 and 169 in two to be forgotten innings against the same bowlers in Sylhet test? Bangladesh batted for 150 overs in the test while in none of the 8 test they could bat as much overs in the entire match. Bangladesh could not even score 200 in any of the innings.  It does not need any one to research what went wrong with the batting in each of the previous eight test innings.  Hope coaching stuff will use Mushfiqur’s batting footage as training manual for Bangladeshi batsman. After such a marathon innings with a few minutes break he was seen wicket keeping. He deserves all of us taking of our hats congratulating him. [caption id="attachment_108340" align="aligncenter" width="2048"] Mushfiqur celebrates in style[/caption] Zimbabwe in reply was 25/1 at stumps. Their captain and their main stay in batting Hamilton Masakdaza fell to a lovely drifting delivery of Taijul snapped up at slip by Mehedi Hasan Miraz. Earlier Ariful Haque dropped a dolly off the debutant pacer Khaled in the slips. Bangladesh would press on today for packing up Zimbabwe as early as possible. Batting on this wicket would get increasingly difficult as the match wears on. In the morning with a reasonably new cherry Mustafiz and Khaled would tease the batsmen for a while. The tail ender Tirpano has better batting average than opener Brian Chari. The task is well and truly cut out for the Zimbabwean batsmen. Their first target is scoring 322 for avoiding following on. With three days left in the game and sky looking cloudless it has to be only a miracle to save Zimbabwe. Earlier on day two, Mushfiqur and Mahmudullah put together 62 in the first session batting carefully. But after lunch Mahmudullah fell to Jarvis who was plugging away bowling consistently at off sump corridor. Groin injury of Brian Chattara handicapped Zimababwe. The 7^th wicket partnership with two M’s again put in 72 priceless runs. Young Mehedi joined Mushfiqur and batted aggressively. Mehedi is also a genuine batsman. But he is yet to establish his class as a quality batsman in international level. Batting with Mushfiqur Rahim in this record setting partnership of 144 would give him enough confidence in future. His unbeaten 68 his second test fifty would be a Philip for him in his long career ahead. He is already a premiere spinner in all format for Bangladesh. One must admire Kyle Jarvis. Bowling consistently well he alone took 5 of the 7 Bangladesh wicket giving away 71 runs only. If he was supported by any other bowler from the other side it could be a different story. Jarvis has really learnt the skill of swing bowling from his experience in English county. On 11/11 /2018 after the ANZAC day remembrance I meet with Australian Cricket Icon Rodney Marsh at Eastland Ringwood. We were discussing international cricket. Marsh was a brilliant wicket keeper batsman who kept wickets when Dennis Lille, Jeff Thomson and Max Walker were tormentors. Talking about Bangladesh cricket he could only remember Wicket Keeper Mushfiq. He said I like the batting style and his exuberance behind the wicket. Wish our meeting could be today when Mushfiq has set a new record as wicket keeper batsman.   Yesterday Radio Bhumi (Channel I Radio) commentary team asked me what would be the possible out come of the test. It was tea time break. We agreed if Bangladesh declare bringing in tired Zimabawe for a few overs that evening and remove their key batsman Masakadza early Bangladesh may make in roads deep into visitors batting early next day. Masakadza is gone. It is too be seen how Bangladesh bowl and how Zimabawe defend with their back to the wall. Session one of the day three is the key. Two three quick wickets would set butterfly in visitors stomach. Bangladesh desperately need winning the match and leveling the series as a Philip for the upcoming home series against much stronger West Indies.

Brief Scores:

Bangladesh 522 /7 Declared (Mushfiqur Rahim 219*, Mominul Haque 161, Mehedi Hasan Miraz 68*, Mahmudullah Riyad 36, Kyle Jarvis 5/71) Zimbabwe 25/1 (Hamilton Masakadza 14, Brain Chari 10*, Taijul Islam 1/ 5)

-Saleque Sufi

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