More often than not, substance over style is the key to success not just in cricket but in every facet of life. Bangladesh opener Tamim Iqbal must have learned the proverb by heart as his workmanlike 250-ball 74 steered his side to 193 runs for the loss of three wickets following the conclusion of the opening day’s play of the second Test against Zimbabwe at Sheikh Abu Naser Stadium.
The left-handed batsman, famous for his swashbuckling approach, was totally off-colour yet extremely patient as his unbeaten knock put Bangladesh in the driving seat after the first day’s proceedings.
The determined hosts came into the second Test looking to rectify the mistakes their batsmen had committed in the first Test in Dhaka where the Tigers posted a narrow three-wicket win over the visitors. Batting was the major worry for the home side and opening batsman Shamsur Rahman’s (two) early dismissal hardly helped matters after Bangladesh won the toss and elected to bat first. Tamim, however, alongside top-order batsman Mominul Haque saw off the first hour of play without further damage. The duo nullified the early morning moisture with ease denying the Zimbabwean pacemen further success.
The second-wicket pair added 72 runs before Mominul was dismissed by first Test hero, right-arm seamer Tinashe Panyangara. Mominul, as always, was level-headed and scored 35 runs off 101 deliveries. Mahmudullah then joined Tamim at the crease looking to drive home the advantage provided by the second-wicket partnership.
A relaxed Tamim soon reached his slowest Test fifty, off 169 balls with the help of four boundaries. The southpaw was coolness personified as he outfoxed the Zimbabwean bowlers throughout the entire day. The only reprieve Tamim received was when he was on 58. Wicketkeeper Regis Chakabva dropped an edge induced by off-spinner Malcolm Waller but that proved to be the only dent in an otherwise impressive display of patience from the 25-year old opener.
This was Tamim’s 17th Test fifty but first against Zimbabwe. When on 60, Tamim also added another feature to his career. The cricketer from Chittagong went past 2500 Test runs and now finds himself third in the list of the highest Bangladeshi run-scorers in Tests. Habibul Bashar (3026) and Mohammad Ashraful (2737) occupy the top two spots.
Both Tamim and Mahmudullah adopted a cautious approach and it was required against the debutant leg-spinner Natsai M’Shangwe. The leggie appeared threatening, especially to Mahmudullah, who at times went for some reckless drives through the cover region.
Mahmudullah though also reached his fifty as the third-wicket pair put on 95 runs. The Tamim-Mahmuduallah partnership lasted 45.2 overs and were largely responsible for taking the life out of the Zimbabwean bowlers. However, with seven overs left till the end of play, Mahmudullah was trapped in front by Panyangara for a responsible 152-ball 56. This was Mahmudullah’s fourth fifty in his last six Test innings.
Alongside Tamim, Shakib al Hasan (13 not out) will resume the second day’s play today.
