Zimbabwe’s miserable run in the one-day international format continued as the visitors were handed a clean sweep in the three-match series against Bangladesh that concluded yesterday. Zimbabwe skipper Elton Chigumbura held batting responsible for the downfall.
Sean Williams and Malcom Waller were starting to look dangerous during their 59-run stand for the fifth wicket before they departed in quick succession. “I thought those were the two wickets that brought Bangladesh back into the game. It happened inside three overs. You can’t do that, especially if you have lost wickets up front,” he said.
A little bit of drama unfolded in the dying stages of Bangladesh’s batting innings when the Zimbabweans were confident that they had Mahmudullah run out. TV replays showed wicket-keeper Regis Chakabva dislodging the bails a split second before Sikandar Raza’s direct hit from short cover. Mahmudullah started walking as soon as the ball ricocheted off the stumps, with him stranded in the middle of the pitch and the visitors celebrating. However, after a short celebration Chakabva showed urgency and reclaimed the ball and uprooted the stumps, but by then he umpire had called it a dead ball. After a long pause the third umpire ruled Mahmudullah not out and from 32 runs, he went on to register his 14th ODI fifty.
“(Smiles) Obviously I can’t really comment on that. But I am sure you saw what happened. (Giggles) What clarification do you want when you saw...? And umpires made their decision. We have to follow their decisions,” he added.
