The boundary-line tap dance
Plays of the day from the first T20I between Bangladesh and Zimbabwe in Khulna
Mohammad Isam
15-Jan-2016
Hamilton Masakadza's percentage shots were the only blemish in an otherwise sparkling innings of 79 • AFP
The juggle
Soumya Sarkar had about five chances to take Vusi Sibanda's catch at long-off but he kept juggling with the ball and tap-dancing near the boundary perimeter. He had cleanly taken the catch on the first and fifth occasions but with the fourth, he had flicked the rope with his toes; when he finally took the catch, he tossed the ball in anger. The umpires took one look at the replay and judged it a six. It wasn't too expensive for Soumya as Sibanda was out the next ball.
Soumya Sarkar had about five chances to take Vusi Sibanda's catch at long-off but he kept juggling with the ball and tap-dancing near the boundary perimeter. He had cleanly taken the catch on the first and fifth occasions but with the fourth, he had flicked the rope with his toes; when he finally took the catch, he tossed the ball in anger. The umpires took one look at the replay and judged it a six. It wasn't too expensive for Soumya as Sibanda was out the next ball.
The absent-minded batsman
Malcolm Waller was run out in the 15th over after a horrible mix-up with Hamilton Masakadza who was hell bent on taking a second run from his tap towards midwicket. Sabbir Rahman fired in a throw to wicketkeeper Nurul Hasan, who whipped off the bails, to find Waller short by several inches. Waller had come out of his crease which prompted Masakadza to sprint harder but Waller said no twice. He did not return to the crease, mostly expecting Sabbir to throw to the bowler's end. But Sabbir and Nurul were smarter, and Bangladesh got an important wicket.
Malcolm Waller was run out in the 15th over after a horrible mix-up with Hamilton Masakadza who was hell bent on taking a second run from his tap towards midwicket. Sabbir Rahman fired in a throw to wicketkeeper Nurul Hasan, who whipped off the bails, to find Waller short by several inches. Waller had come out of his crease which prompted Masakadza to sprint harder but Waller said no twice. He did not return to the crease, mostly expecting Sabbir to throw to the bowler's end. But Sabbir and Nurul were smarter, and Bangladesh got an important wicket.
The connection
Masakadza was timing the ball perfectly while playing down the ground but his lap-sweep was not connecting properly. He tried it several times, either missing the ball or not timing it. In the 13th over, he finally got one off the meat of his bat and swept the ball over short fine-leg for a four. Such percentage shots were the only blemish in an otherwise sparkling 79.
Masakadza was timing the ball perfectly while playing down the ground but his lap-sweep was not connecting properly. He tried it several times, either missing the ball or not timing it. In the 13th over, he finally got one off the meat of his bat and swept the ball over short fine-leg for a four. Such percentage shots were the only blemish in an otherwise sparkling 79.
The leave
Elton Chigumbura's attempt to distract Mustafizur Rahman ended in his downfall. The Zimbabwe captain jumped out of his crease and moved over to the off side to play the left-armer's first delivery of the 19th over. The exposed leg stump, however, was duly yorked by Mustafizur. The crowd loved the deception.
Elton Chigumbura's attempt to distract Mustafizur Rahman ended in his downfall. The Zimbabwe captain jumped out of his crease and moved over to the off side to play the left-armer's first delivery of the 19th over. The exposed leg stump, however, was duly yorked by Mustafizur. The crowd loved the deception.
Mohammad Isam is ESPNcricinfo's Bangladesh correspondent. @isam84