Bangladesh were finally able to bury the ghosts of a disappointing year as they coasted to a 186-run win over Zimbabwe on the fifth day of the third and final Test at Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium yesterday to record their second series sweep in five-day cricket.
The first time the Tigers sealed a series whitewash was back in 2009 against the West Indies in the Caribbean although that was a two-Test series.
Resuming the final day’s play on 71/1, Zimbabwe required a further 378 runs for a consolation victory. The Bangladesh bowlers, however, had other ideas as the visitors were all out for 262, falling short by 184 runs to give the hosts the much-anticipated and much-needed series sweep.
It was a moment of pride, happiness and relief at the same time for the Bangladesh cricketers and fans. After experiencing countless defeats and controversies throughout 2014, the series sweep came at just the right time. The 3-0 series win will give the Tigers double cause for joy as it came against their arch rivals.
The Bangladesh players though started celebrating a bit too early when they uprooted the stumps after the umpire had judged Natsai M’shangwe leg-before wicket off paceman Shafiul Islam. The Tigers’ jubilations were on hold temporarily as M’shangwe asked for a review. It was in vain as the third umpire agreed with the decision of the on-field umpire.
This three-Test series will be a memorable one for Bangladesh for a long time to come. The Tigers created and broke several records but one piece of history is likely to give them the ultimate satisfaction besides being the perfect riposte for the critics who doubt Bangladesh’s place in five-day cricket.
With the exception of England, no other Test nation have been able to register a series sweep in a three-Test series or more in their first 14 years in five-day cricket. The Tigers became the second Test-playing country, and the first from the subcontinent, to record such a feat.
Zimbabwe might have seen it coming as one of their overnight batsmen, Hamilton Masakadza (38), perished early. The second wicket pair of Hamilton and Sikandar Raza (65) added just 26 runs to their overnight score before the former was dismissed by part-time spinner Shuvagata Hom. Not only did Shuvagata initiate the floodgates early on in the morning session, the right-arm off-spinner also accounted for the wicket of Sikandar.
While Hamilton was caught behind by Test skipper Mushfiqur Rahim, Sikandar smashed a full toss straight into the hands of Taijul Islam at deep mid-wicket.
The duo were one among a few bright spots for the visitors throughout the series, especially Sikandar, who is the first Zimbabwe opener to hit two half centuries in a Test since 2001.
19-year old leg-spinner Jubair Hossain then came to the party removing Zimbabwean skipper Brendan Taylor (24) for the third time in the series. The youngster went on to dismiss the highest scorer of the first innings for the visitors, Elton Chigumbura, for five as Bangladesh started to scent victory with Zimbabwe heading to lunch on 182/5.
Zimbabwe wicketkeeper-batsman Regis Chakabva only tried to delay the inevitable hitting his second fifty of the Test match. Chakabva rode his luck as he was dropped by Mushfiq on 21. But it was just a matter of when not if.
The visitors were soon reeling on 237/7 as Craig Ervine (16) and Richmond Mutumbami (two) departed in quick succession. Both were adjudged plumb in front, off the bowling of Mahmudullah and Taijul Islam respectively.
Paceman Rubel Hossain picked up Tinashe Panyangara’s (two) wicket and Shafiul mopped up the tail to spark celebrations among the Bangladesh players.
