On a day of fluctuating fortune with pendulum swinging end to end, Taijul Islam and Mehidy Hasan Miraz led Bangladesh accomplishing half of the mission. [ফুল স্কোরকার্ড দেখতে এখানে ক্লিক করুন]

The home team looks advantaged for carrying on and winning the test for squaring the series. Still a long way to go till the job is done. In cricket nothing must be taken for granted.  Strange things happen. Zimbabwe finished the day at 304/9 virtually all out with injured Chattara not able to bat responding to Bangladesh total of 522/7 declared. Bangladesh has option to enforcing following on or batting again for setting a target for the visitors. Credit must be given to the visitors for the dogged fight back and dragging their innings till stumps of day three. Zimbabwe reached almost the pint of avoiding the following on from brilliant batting of veteran Brian Taylor and youngster Peter Moore. They put together an excellent 139 runs sixth wicket partnership leading a major recovery from a disastrous situation of 131/5. Butter fingers of Bangladesh fielders also deprived Bangladesh making opposition all out much sooner. About half a dozen catches were floored.  The visitors lost their 9^th wicket in the last over before stumps. With injured Chattara not being able to hold the bat the visitors conceded 218 runs lead. Bangladesh can either ask the opposition bat again or bat themselves. Bangladeshi pacers must utilize the new ball better and fielders must hang on to the catches if Bangladesh has to win the test and square the series. Zimbabwe started the day at 25/1. The night watchman Tirpano and opener Chari survived the early burst of the newish ball. We feel debutant pacers Khaled perhaps for nerves could not control his line and direction and Mustafiz was not much consistent.  Taijul looked threatening and Mehidy started bowling well as day progressed. Bangladesh could take only two wickets before lunch removing both the overnight not out batsmen. After lunch Bangladesh started bowling to a plan and within no time reduced the visitors to 131/5. Veteran Taylor was fighting back to the wall all the way dropping anchors. In this situation Peter Moore thinking counter attack as the best policy started playing aggressive strokes. The partnership started growing and the possibility of visitors avoiding the follow on started looming. Desperate Mahmudullah in efforts of breaking the partnership brought in Ariful Haque. It worked. Arif removed Moore (83) trapping him LBW. The 6^th wicket partnership by that time put together invaluable 139. Once Moore was gone wickets fell at regular interval and in between generous Bangladesh fielders dropped few catches also. When it seemed that the visitors was going to avoid the following on Taijul completed his third five wickets haul of the series. Visitors lost their ninth and ultimate wicket at 304 still 19 runs away from the follow-on target. The monumental efforts of BPM Taylor’s dogged innings of 110 off 194 deliveries and aggressive 83 off 114 balls of PJ Moore did almost all short of achieving primary target.

Watch below all wickets of Zimbabwe of their first Innings

Looking back of Bangladesh efforts of day three one must say Bangladesh pace bowling duo Khaled and Mustafiz failed bowling consistently in the right channel. Khaled was all over the place and Mustafiz also was not in his elements leaving all to the spinners. Bangladesh also dropped few catches which they must not do if their mission for winning the test. We anticipate that given the situation of the match Bangladesh would bat again extending the lead past 375-400 before declaring. Bangladesh top order will have another opportunity for redeeming.  Perhaps they will like the situation as the situation warrants playing ODI mode innings.  Wicket still not playing that difficult. Zimbabwe has already shown their fighting teeth. Nothing short of 375 would be safe for Bangladesh. South paw spinner Taijul once again bowled superbly. He set up all his victims turning his spinners and flighting. Finally his straightened his deliveries confusing the batsmen. Williams and Sikandar Raza were completely foxed. His double strike after lunch pegged the visitors back. His 5/107 was the third consecutive 5 wickets haul taking his series tally to 16 wickets. Mehedi Miraz also bowled well taking vital wickets at the right moment. He took 3/51. What a wonderful all-round performance after his unbeaten 68 with the bat.