BAN vs ZIM | Day 3 - Hosts seize control after Zimbabwe collapse courtesy Shakib, Mehidy

The hosts Zimbabwe were put on the mat by the visiting team Bangladesh as they managed to eke out a huge lead after skittling them out for just 276 runs from a position of relative strength. 

The spin duo of Shakib Al Hasan and Mehidy Hasan wreaked havoc in the second and the third session as Zimbabwe surrendered a comfortable position and ended the day’s play with their backs to the wall. Coming out to bat in the second time, Bangladesh didn’t lose a wicket in the 17 overs they faced scoring 45 runs. Both the openers Shadman Islam and Saif Hasan looked in control and will try to stretch the lead of 237 runs on day four and set Zimbabwe a daunting 4th innings target. 

Zimbabwe had ended the second day’s play comfortably placed at 141/1 in reply to Bangladesh 468 in the first innings on the back of a stupendous batting performance by Mahmudullah and Taskin Ahmed. 

Takudzwanashe Kaitano and Brendan Taylor began proceedings for the day and looked in complete command. Taylor looked in phenomenal touch during his 92 balls 81 and struck 12 fours and six during his classy innings before being deceived by Mehidy Hasan. 

Kaitano and Dion Myers started to rebuild and played every ball on its merit. After sharing 49 runs, Myers was dismissed and that led to the collapse which Zimbabwe never recovered from. 

Mehidy Hasan and Shakib Al Hasan spun a web around the lower middle order and the lower order and didn’t allow them to settle in. 

From 224/2 at one stage, Zimbabwe kept losing wickets at regular intervals and was eventually bowled out for 276, handling Bangladesh a huge lead of 192 runs. While Mehidy bagged another fifer, Shakib finished with four.