Mushfiqur's lone appeal, and understated celebrations
Plays of the day from the third day of the Test between Zimbabwe and Bangladesh in Harare
Firdose Moonda in Harare
19-Apr-2013
Bangladesh's collapse was one of the worst in their Test history • AFP
Collapse of the day
It simply cannot be ignored. Nine wickets for 32 runs. Five wickets without a run being scored. Yes, Bangladesh folded spectacularly. They became only the fourth team to lose wickets without the score moving - New Zealand endured that fate three times in the past. The last eight batsmen scored just 18 runs, the worst in their Test history, and they faced a total of 325 balls in their innings. That's only one more than Brendan Taylor did for his 171 in the first innings.
It simply cannot be ignored. Nine wickets for 32 runs. Five wickets without a run being scored. Yes, Bangladesh folded spectacularly. They became only the fourth team to lose wickets without the score moving - New Zealand endured that fate three times in the past. The last eight batsmen scored just 18 runs, the worst in their Test history, and they faced a total of 325 balls in their innings. That's only one more than Brendan Taylor did for his 171 in the first innings.
Chat of the day
Zimbabwe's bowlers would have been spoken to sternly after their efforts yesterday evening and it seemed to impact the way they started this morning. Keegan Meth and Kyle Jarvis bowled four maidens between them to open proceedings and conceded six runs in the first nine overs. They had tied down run-scoring but couldn't get a breakthrough. Without bowling consultant Heath Streak, whose contract has not been renewed, the only person on hand to offer advice was Grant Flower, the batting coach. Flower held conference with Keegan Meth on the fine leg boundary. His advice may have been to bowl straighter because in the next over, Meth had Jahurul out lbw.
Zimbabwe's bowlers would have been spoken to sternly after their efforts yesterday evening and it seemed to impact the way they started this morning. Keegan Meth and Kyle Jarvis bowled four maidens between them to open proceedings and conceded six runs in the first nine overs. They had tied down run-scoring but couldn't get a breakthrough. Without bowling consultant Heath Streak, whose contract has not been renewed, the only person on hand to offer advice was Grant Flower, the batting coach. Flower held conference with Keegan Meth on the fine leg boundary. His advice may have been to bowl straighter because in the next over, Meth had Jahurul out lbw.
Yelp of the day
Bangladesh had Zimbabwe 43 for 4 and thought another quick couple of wickets would give them a chance of limiting the hosts to a chaseable total. Elton Chigumbura was struck on the pads after trying to flick Rubel Hossain square, and the slip cordon, the bowler and all the surrounding fielders went up. Billy Bowden said no, as it was going down leg, but Mushfiqur decided to keep asking. His high-pitched appeal was soon the only one heard and it contorted into a desperate cry, which drew more giggles than any serious reaction. Mushfiqur eventually piped down.
Bangladesh had Zimbabwe 43 for 4 and thought another quick couple of wickets would give them a chance of limiting the hosts to a chaseable total. Elton Chigumbura was struck on the pads after trying to flick Rubel Hossain square, and the slip cordon, the bowler and all the surrounding fielders went up. Billy Bowden said no, as it was going down leg, but Mushfiqur decided to keep asking. His high-pitched appeal was soon the only one heard and it contorted into a desperate cry, which drew more giggles than any serious reaction. Mushfiqur eventually piped down.
Celebrations of the day
Robiul Islam would be forgiven for thinking he was the only bowler on the field for Bangladesh. He took the first six Zimbabwean wickets and each time celebrated in the same demure way. He stretched out his arms, blew a kiss to the sky and presented his team-mates with a massive smile.
Robiul Islam would be forgiven for thinking he was the only bowler on the field for Bangladesh. He took the first six Zimbabwean wickets and each time celebrated in the same demure way. He stretched out his arms, blew a kiss to the sky and presented his team-mates with a massive smile.
Wicket of the day
The only one not to be taken by a bowler resulted in Graeme Cremer, who bettered his own highest score twice in this match, sacrificing his wicket so his captain could keep going. After Taylor defended the ball to point, Cremer called for a run but Taylor sent him back. Then, Taylor spotted a misfield in an attempt to run Cremer out the first time, and changed his mind. Taylor had run to the other end by the time Cremer realised what was happening, and had no choice but to stroll towards the striker's end, where Mushfiqur had already broken the stumps.
The only one not to be taken by a bowler resulted in Graeme Cremer, who bettered his own highest score twice in this match, sacrificing his wicket so his captain could keep going. After Taylor defended the ball to point, Cremer called for a run but Taylor sent him back. Then, Taylor spotted a misfield in an attempt to run Cremer out the first time, and changed his mind. Taylor had run to the other end by the time Cremer realised what was happening, and had no choice but to stroll towards the striker's end, where Mushfiqur had already broken the stumps.
Firdose Moonda is ESPNcricinfo's South Africa correspondent