It was the same pitch used for the first ODI and the pitch report also said that, apart from early help for the bowlers, the surface would be batting friendly. Bangladesh were still hoping to win the toss and bowl first.
However, the scenario at the toss remained unchanged as Brendan Taylor flicked the coin in his favour for the third consecutive time and once again, put Bangladesh in.
The ground was the same, the pitch familiar, conditions coped up with – and still the Bangladeshis gave critics an easy target with their performance.
With the series locked 1-1, it was the series decider and the batsmen needed to prove that whatever happened in the previous matches were not a trend.
Bangladesh have played a lot more international cricket than Zimbabwe, and thus were considered favourites in the ongoing tour. They are expected to adapt to the conditions and win matches.
After almost a month in Zimbabwe, the top-order batsmen are still finding it tough to cope with the slight swing that is generated in the morning.
It was highly expected that the Tigers would finally read the game more carefully and even if they had to bat first, would have a plan to follow. On the field however, for the third match in a row the visitors lost four wickets with less than 100 on the board – some may call it consistent.
Mohammad Ashraful awkwardly fended left-arm seamer Brian Vitori’s rising delivery to give an easy catch to gully, before incoming Jahurul Islam saw his middle stump uprooted first ball.
Following a dropped chance by Elton Chigumbura, Tamim Iqbal and Mushfiqur Rahim settled down to add 62 runs in exactly 15 overs. They seemed to be playing to a plan of building a partnership, relying on singles and seeing out the initial sideways movement.
Mushfiq suddenly went for his favourite shot – the slog sweep - only to be brilliantly caught by Chatara at deep mid-wicket. The responsibility on Tamim increased, and he appeared to bat with more urgency following the loss of Mushfiq.
Tamim’s “responsibility” extended to jumping out of his crease to Chatara and gifting a well-held catch behind to Taylor, leaving Bangladesh 84-4.
Shakib al Hasan, the game’s number one all-rounder, could not improve on those who had gone before. After striking a couple of fours, he top edged a wild slog sweep to be caught at backward square leg for 18 off 23 balls. With his departure, Bangladesh were left at 110-5.
The team’s “Mr. Consistent” and the “inconsistent deputy” took the team forward passed 200. Nasir Hossain with 63 and Mahmudullah with 75* took the total to 247.
Bangladesh has made much progress in the ODI format over the last year. Success’ aside, the explanation for losses usually remains the same – “We played our natural game.”
There is no point in disregarding things that come naturally to us and one should always respect and value them. However, the game also requires adaptation. One should always be ready to respect the situation of the game and adapt accordingly.
Bangladesh has not done so on this tour.
With a series loss against weaker opposition to show, one can predict that skipper Mushfiq will have an explanation for the result. “We played our natural game”.
