Panyangara puts tri-series expulsion behind him

Two months ago, Tinashe Panyangara had been fined and expelled from the Zimbabwe team for what their coach Stephen Mangongo termed as "childish behaviour". Panyangara had allegedly shared a video of Mitchell Johnson bouncing out England during last year's ashes just before the team's match against Australia, an act deemed disruptive to the team's morale.

Panyangara was disruptive again, but this time no one would have complained in his camp. His first international five-wicket haul ensured Zimbabwe were still in a good position after scoring a below-par 240 in the first innings. The spell and the celebrations could have meant that Panyangara was eager to make a point, but the bowler said he was not really thinking of the past.

"Getting a five-for is always a good feeling," Panyangara said. "It does not matter if I was in the team or not, I'd still be happy. But I was hoping to bowl better than I did. So to get a five-for is a bonus and a five-for is a five-for, especially getting a Test five-for is always good."

On a pitch in which Zimbabwe would have expected their spinners to thrive, it was the seamers who provided both opportunities and control. Tendai Chatara and Elton Chigumbura did not pick a wicket but both stuck to disciplined lines, seldom giving away room to score. Among the three, it was Panyangara who struggled to get his control under gloomy skies, but he managed to pick up the first wicket of the day.

"I don't think it helped in the morning. It didn't swing that much and it was a bit two-paced in the morning," he said. "I thought the overcast conditions would play a part, but they didn't."

Bangladesh had four wickets remaining when the second new-ball was called upon and with their captain Mushfiqur Rahim in the middle, the hosts were well set to erase the 27-run deficit and stretch the lead. However, Panyangara dismissed Mushfiqur soon and then wrapped up the tail to restrict Bangladesh's lead to 14 runs, a position from where Zimbabwe have a clear shot of a win.

"Nine-hundred, we have to," Panyangara joked when asked about the target in his team's mind before adding: "We just have to make sure we have enough to put them under pressure. I don't know what score will be a good score. Maybe 100, maybe we defend it, maybe 400 won't be defended. So whatever score it is, we are hoping to get the ten wickets.

"The plan is to win the game. It's not an easy position to win when you score 240 in the first innings and I think both teams are still in with a good chance. Hopefully we can execute our skills better than Bangladesh."

One particular skill he will need in the second innings again is the use of bouncers - he peppered the tailenders with it. When asked if it was a side-effect of watching Johnson bowl, Panyangara said, "I wish I had his pace."