Hamilton Masakadza pulled Zimbabwe out of trouble with a classy century as the visitors now trail Bangladesh by 102 runs in their first innings after day three of the second Test in Khulna yesterday.
Hamilton, aka Big Baby among teammates, made the hosts pay heavily for dropping him at slips in only the second over of the day as he went on to register is fourth Test century and remain unbeaten on 154. He was well complimented by Regis Chakabva’s fifty as the duo added 189 for the sixth wicket to see their side reach 331 for five in reply to Bangladesh’s 433.
Though the Khulna pitch has been placid to bat on so far, 31-year-old Hamilton had to struggle to get set. The Bangladeshi attack picked three quick wickets after lunch as the well-built right-handed fought in the middle and was eventually rewarded with his career best score.
Resuming on 53 for one, debutant Brian Chari was the first to be dismissed on the day by left-arm spinner Taijul Islam. Brendan Taylor and Hamilton, the two most experienced batsmen for the visitors, gathered 67 to repair the damage before Shakib al Hasan put a dent on their rescue mission. Khulna division’s own boy Shakib returned Taylor (35) before claiming two more wickets of Craig Ervine (17) and Elton Chigumbura (one) to leave Zimbabwe tottering at 189 for 5.
This saw Chakabva, who is usually the second choice wicketkeeper-batsman and is only playing in place of injured Richmond Mutumbami, join Hamilton and display a dominating batting performance to keep the hosts away from any further success.
The track offered very less for the spinners as Hamilton implemented his power to tame the dangerous Bangladesh spin attack. He was particularly exquisite off the back foot and watched the ball closely to strike effortlessly while Chakabva, who was given LBW by the on field umpire when he was on seven but a well timed review saved him, also pounced on the bowlers and unsettled them which saw Zimbabwe milk 91 runs from 32 overs in the last session.
