Tigers win Test series:Daily Sun

Tigers celebrate after winning Bashundhara Cement second cricket Test match between hosts Bangladesh and visitors Zimbabwe at Sheikh Abu Naser Stadium in Khulna on Friday. AFP Photo Bangladesh won the Bashundhara Cement three-match Test series against Zimbabwe 2-0, as all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan made outstanding batting and bowling contributions to his team’s victory. The hosts whipped Zimbabwe by
162 runs on the final day of the second test match in Khulna on Friday. The tourists were dismissed within 151 just after tea break to chase the target of 314 set by Bangladesh. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia congratulated the players, the coach and other staff of the national cricket team on their victory against Zimbabwe. Earlier, the hosts defeated the tourists by three wickets in the first Test in Dhaka. The third and final Test will begin in Chittagong on November 12. The Tests will be followed by five one-day internationals. Shakib became the third player in the history of the test cricket to score a century and take 10 wickets in a match. He was adjudged the player of the match. Bashundhara Group Deputy Managing Director (cement, BLPGL and SICL) Engineer AKM Mahbub-Uj-Jaman gave the man-of-the-match award to Shakib Al Hasan during the prize-distribution ceremony. The left-arm spinner claimed five for 44 in Zimbabwe’s second innings as the tourists were bowled out within 151 after tea on the fifth and final day in Khulna test. Ace all-rounder Shakib made a 10-wicket haul in the Test and finished 5-80 in the first innings followed a crafty 137 on the second day and deservedly was adjudged the player of the match. Earlier in the morning, Bangladesh declared their second innings at 248-9 and set a challenging target of 314 riding on Shuvagata Hom’s maiden half-century and Mahmudullah’s top-scored with 71 at Sheikh Abu Naser Cricket Stadium in Khulna. Later, Bangladesh spinners brought early glory for their team just before lunch break as Shakib and Taijul spin duo got rid of both Zimbabwe openers, Shikandar Raza and Brian Chari, for just 13 runs on the scoreboard. After lunch break, Shakib sent back Zimbabwean skipper quickly and led to collapse the Zimbabwean batting lineup. By the time, Zimbabwe needed over 250 runs to deal with the chase with two more sessions in hand but that was the time the spin trio of dangerous big occasion player Shakib along with Taijul Islam and Jubair Hossain gradually took control of the game. Chakabva and Hamilton Masakadza got together in the centre but could add 70 runs to the score as the first was caught by the Mahmudullah off Jubair Hossain for 27. After Chakabva’s departure, Zimbabwe lost wickets at regular intervals during the run chase stumbling to 117-5 during tea break. Hamilton Masakadza who scored a century in the first innings was the only Zimbabwean to defy the spinners in the second innings with 61. But after tea break, Shakib removed two Zimbabwean crucial wickets of Hamilton Masakadza and Chigumbura and the match came close slowly for Banglaedsh. After a while Shaklib dismissed Natsai M’shangwe and entered in the history when he finished 5-44 on the final day and overall 10 wickets in a innings followed a responsible 137 on the second day, became only the third player in history. By the time Zimbabwe were dismissed cheaply within 151 just after tea break as Bangladesh sealed the 3-match test series by 2-0 with one more match in hand. The win has moved Bangladesh off the bottom of the ICC Test rankings. Shakib was supported by another left-arm spinner Taijul Islam (3-44) and leg-spinner Jubair Hossain (2-42) as Zimbabwe lost their last five wickets within 14 runs. In a congratulatory message, the Prime Minister hoped that the trend of Bangladesh’s victory would continue and the team would advance further by crossing all hurdles. She wished continued success of the Bangladesh cricket team. BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia, in a message, said: “I feel proud of our cricketers with the cricket-loving people of the country who are overwhelmed and delighted over this outstanding success of the cricket team.” She hoped that the Tigers will be able to continue with their success in days to come through regular exercise and training. Khaleda also congratulated all the players, the coach, officials and all concerned of the team on their outstanding success.