Zimbabwe will be reasonably happy with their first innings effort but the chase will still be difficult © AFP
Bangladesh have posted a modest total of 135 for nine in their 20 overs against Zimbabwe in the second Twenty20 International (T20I) at Dhaka. The score may not look like a very defendable total going by general T20 standards these days but the first match between the sides was low-scoring and given Zimbabwe’s fragile batting line up, this could yet prove to be too daunting an ask against the likes of Mustafizur Rahman and other class bowlers. Zimbabwe need to have their heads on their shoulders as they approach this chase and must break the score down into smaller targets. Live Cricket Scorecard: Bangladesh vs Zimbabwe, 2nd T2oI at Dhaka
Bangladesh’s innings was largely fashioned by a calculated knock from Anamul Haque which saw him anchor the innings. Were it not for his near-half century Bangladesh’s total would have definitely looked very ordinary. He fell for 47 in the ultimate over. Earlier in the innings Tamim Iqbal got a fantastic start but he failed to cash in on it. He was dismissed by Neville Madziva for a 15-ball 21. Fellow-opener Imrul Kayes looked rusty during his stay at the crease and fell for 10 to Tendai Chisoro. LIVE UPDATES: Bangladesh vs Zimbabwe 2015, 2nd T20I at Dhaka
The pick of the bowlers for Zimbabwe however was Graeme Cremer who got rid of Mushfiqur Rahman and Sabbir Rahman in his four overs while conceding just 21 runs. He was smart and accurate with his lines and lengths and did not attempt anything extravagant. While he did an impeccable job in the middle overs Tinashe Panyangara and Neville Madziva also shared five wickets between them.
Anamul Haque was scoring at an ordinary strike-rate of about 90 but that was his role to keep the innings together and to that extent his knock is worthy of praise. He saw wickets fall all around him but maintained his calm and poise. If he had a batsman to support him through, Bangladesh could have posted a far more impressive total.
Inspired by Malcolm Waller’s feisty fifty in the previous game, Zimbabwe will fancy their chances of salvaging some pride in a rather fruitless series. Yet, they must bear in mind that Bangladesh has the bowling attack to exploit these conditions to the tea and the task will be quite difficult.
Brief scores:
Bangladesh 139 for nine in 20 overs (Tamim Iqbal 21, Anamul Haque 43; Tinashe Panyangara 3 for 30) vs Zimbabwe.