Mushfiqur Rahim's bat was on fire yesterday as the former Bangladesh captain struck his fourth one-day international hundred to help the home side overwhelm the visiting Zimbabwe side in the first of their three-match limited-over series. It was a complete pleasure to watch the right-handed batsman build his innings with ones and twos before gunning down the visiting bowlers during his 171-minute vigil at the crease. He faced just 109 balls for his 107 which included nine fours and a six through the cow corner.
The century, second this year, came as a relief for the 27-year-old wicketkeeper-batsman whose bat did not glow in the previous two home series against India and South Africa. Although he did not bat on two occasions against the Proteas, he was only able to score the highest of 31 against India in three matches.
The knock of 81 last Thursday in the lone warm-up certainly instilled confidence back in his 156th ODI appearance as Mushfiq looked more compact yesterday during the rebuilding process to rescue the home side after they lost Tamim Iqbal and Shakib al Hasan in quick succession, that too with more than 21 overs left.
It was a difficult wicket – a slow surface – to bat on, but Mushfiq adjusted and accelerated with perfection by taking his time in the middle. Initially he milked the bowling and rotated the strike before he got into the groove and provided the much-needed flurry of boundaries in the end.
With Bangladesh reeling at 30 for two, Mushfiq walked in at No 4 to join Tamim and add 70 runs for the third wicket. Later, he paired up with the sensible Sabbir Rahman to put on 119 for the fifth wicket.
Sabbir's contribution was equally crucial in the match. His array of shots not only entertained the crowd but fetched him valuable 57 runs that helped the Tigers reach the commendable total of 273 for nine.
It needed something special for Zimbabwe to dismantle the two batting geniuses when Graeme Creamer stepped up. Creamer's direct hit from the backward point region, that too twice in two overs, brought the curtains down on one of the most entertaining innings from the Tigers.
Mushfiq was equally safe with the gloves behind the wicket later on and took two catches as Bangladesh skittled out Zimbabwe for just 128.