Shakib al Hasan might have served a three-month suspension given by the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) due to indiscipline, but the southpaw on his return to international cricket wasted no time in proving why he is regarded as not only Bangladesh’s but also the world’s leading all-rounder.
Shakib bagged six wickets to complete his 11th Test five-wicket haul and put Bangladesh in a commanding position against Zimbabwe after day one of their first Test at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium yesterday.
Zimbabwe skipper Brendan Taylor had earlier pointed the Tigers spin attack as their major threat and it was very clear why. The three-man spin attack from the home side shared nine wickets to break the visitors’ spine and restrict them to just 240 runs in the first innings.
In reply Tamim Iqbal departed early for the home side who edged to slips off a rising delivery from Tinashe Panyangara, who also happened to return to the Zimbabwe team after an expulsion for disciplinary reasons. However, Shamsur Rahman and Mominul Haque batted sensibly and ensured no more hiccups as the hosts will resume the second day today on 27 for one, trailing by 213 runs.
The pitch offered bounce and turn and the Bangladeshi spinners exploited the conditions to maximum effect. Apart from Shakib, the 19-year-old debutant Jubair Hossain was also impressive with his variations and temperament.
Jubair, the first genuine leg-spinner to play for Bangladesh, showed no signs of nervousness and rather concentrated on bowling in the right areas which eventually saw him getting rewarded with two big wickets of Sikandar Raza and Taylor.
Fast bowler Shahadat Hossain who returned to the national fold after 19 months started off the proceedings by sending Vusi Sibanda back, caught behind, to the hut off just the fifth ball of the match.
Shakib was introduced in the eighth over and made his presence felt in his third over by removing the dangerous Hamilton Masakadza for 13.
Raza and Taylor played the session out by batting sensibly which also saw them add 52 runs before a tossed up delivery from Jubair gave him his first Test wicket as the ball hit Taylor high on the bat and looped straight into the hands of Taijul Islam at mid-off.
After reaching his fifty Raza played a nothing shot to gift the 74th Test cricketer of Bangladesh, Jubair, his second wicket. Once again it was a tossed up delivery which was scooped directly to Mahmudullah at short cover leaving the visitors reeling at 128 for four. Jubair was unlucky not to enjoy any more success as two catches were dropped off his bowling by Shakib and Al Amin Hossain. Shakib covered a lot of ground from mid-on but could not hold on to the ball at the last moment while Al Amin missed a sitter at deep square-leg.
Taijul chipped in with the wicket of Craig Ervine (34) after Shakib dismissed Elton Chigumbura (29) to leave Zimbabwe struggling on 192 for six.
The left-handed Shakib then cleaned up Regis Chakabva (25), John Nyumbu (14), Panyangara (eight) and debutant Tafadzwa Kamungozi (five) to complete his figures of 6/59 from 24.5 overs.
The star all rounder becomes the first Bangladeshi bowler to take five wicket haul against all the Test playing nations except Australia as he is yet to play against the Aussies in the longer format of the game.
