Heading into the three-match Test series against hosts Bangladesh, both Zimbabwe captain Brendan Taylor and coach Stephen Mangongo had stated that the home side’s spin attack was their main worry.
And they were both proven right as the Bangladesh spinners accounted for 18 of the 20 wickets to fall in the just concluded first at Mirpur that ended on Monday – 16 of those taken by left-arm spinners Shakib al Hasan and Taijul Islam.
Shakib’s six-for in the first innings and Taijul’s record-breaking eight-wicket haul in the second innings troubled the Zimbabweans throughout the Test match as Bangladesh pipped the visitors to a narrow three-wicket win.
While talking to the media at Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium yesterday, Mangongo reiterated his concerns and gave credit where its due.
“(Bangladesh) have a very deadly combination. They can get wickets against any team in the world. Before it used to be just Shakib, but now those two other guys (Taijul and Jubair Hossain), they are serious operators,” said Mangongo. 19-year old leg-spinner Jubair had made his Test debut against Zimbabwe in the first Test and put in an impressive performance picking up two wickets – Taylor and opener Sikandar Raza - in the first innings.
“Bangladesh were the better team because their spinners bowled very well and they won the game. They had better skill than Zimbabwe and yes, definitely the better team won. Their spinners bowled very disciplined lines, they spun the ball, they made it difficult for our batsmen and they got the wickets,” he said.
Mangongo, known for his authoritarian approach, said they are striving to improve in the remaining two Test matches.
“Rome was not built in a day. We will continue to learn and we will get better,” he said.
“We didn’t bat very well. We are a professional team. It is our job to improve and get better. Today (yesterday), in the training, it showed that we are determined to improve. That’s why we have come to training to rectify the mistakes.
“I admit they are very good bowlers with a lot of skill. But we are also an international side. We are learning to play in the subcontinent. We endeavor to improve and get better,” he added.