STANFORD JONI, HARARE
A crucial wicket by Tuskers bowler Chris Mpofu in the final over help to Zimbabwe clinch the UCB ODI series after beating Bangladesh in a nail biting encounter in Harare yesterday. Zimbabwe now lead three nil and this is their first series win in five years.
Bangladesh won the toss and opted to field. Zimbabwe opened with Captain Brandon Taylor and Vusi Sibanda amid an overcast sky. The visitors were off to a busy start as they quickly removed Taylor off the bowling of Shafiul Islam. He was caught at first slip by Junzed Siddique after failing to deal with the morning movement of the new ball; he had faced 20 balls and did not do much to trouble the scores as was on four runs.
Vusi Sibanda soon followed after contributing 27, he was caught by Imrul Kayes off the bowling Rubel Hossain. Hamilton Masakadza was then joined by Tatenda Taibu and the two were left at the crease to e control the damage as Zimbabwe had crumbled to 39 for 2 in the 14th over. They had an amazing 143 run partnership. They batted with easy and showed great composure with a high level of maturity being evident in the two veterans. Masakadza however departed after making 73 runs after facing 100 balls after being bowled by Hossain .
After being dropped at mid wicket, at the covers and behind by wicketkeeper Mushfiqur Rahim ,Taibu went on to make 83 runs of 103 balls and eventually went out off the bowling of Nazmul Hossain. He was caught by Hossain deep on the leg-side after attempting a pull shot in the 46th over .
The hard hitting Elton Chigumbura came in with a whooping display of two sixes and one four and he made a comfortable 31 off 21 balls before he was caught by Hossain again on the leg side off the bowling of captain Shakib Al Hasssan.
Bangladesh restricted to 250 for seven. Ruebel Hossain was the pick of the bowlers getting two wickets for 41 runs while Nazmul and Mamadullah picked up a one wicket each.
Bangladesh seemed to have finally learned from the lessons of matches past and the Zimbabwe innings earlier and decided not to go for broke upfront. With Brian Vitori and Kyle Jarvis opening the bowling, the Bangladesh openers were even more watchful and put on their best partnership of the series. Vitori did not get the same movement he did in the first two ODIs and was seen off carefully and even the pace of Jarvis was dealt with in composed fashion.
Vitori was taken off after a short spell of three overs and replaced by Chris Mpofu. Tamim Iqbal's first attacking shot came off Mpofu, a blistering stroke that was creamed past mid-off. He followed it up with two cracking shots through the covers, showing glimpses of the prowess that he is so well known for. Imrul Kayes acted as a foil to Tamim, absorbing the pressure and letting it off only slightly to rotate strike. He survived one close lbw shout off Prosper Utseya but when the second one came, Imrul was given his marching orders.
Junaid Siddique made his first appearance in the series on a precarious note, getting an outside edge for four. He didn't look entirely in control in his brief time at the crease, lofting a length delivery to the boundary off Mpofu with some circumspection. He departed after pushing a tossed up ball straight back to Utseya, who was rewarded for flighting it.
With Utseya the only frontline tweaker in the attack, Brendan Taylor had a tricky task of managing his four seamers and brought Vitori back in the 18th over, with Chigumbura bowling at the other end. Although Vitori did not get a wicket in his first seven overs, he was difficult to get away. Chigumbura struggled against the right/left combination of Tamim and Mushfiqur Rahim at first, but soon found his rhythm.
Zimbabwe edged ahead at the halfway stage when Tamim was run out by Mpofu after attempting a second while chancing the fast-bowlers arm. Tamim was without his bat, which he dropped midway and failed to make his ground.
The two sides clash in two more dead rubber in the city of kings on Friday and Sunday to round off the series.
Showing posts with label UCB ODI SERIES. Show all posts
Showing posts with label UCB ODI SERIES. Show all posts
Tuesday, 16 August 2011
SHAKIB SPEAKS OUT ON MENTAL TOUGHNESS
GODFREY C. KOTI, HARARE
BANGLADESH captain Shakib Al Hassan, blamed his misfiring batting line-up for his side's dismal show in Zimbabwe as they slumped to their second straight defeat in the five-match ODI series. His charges crumbled to an unconvincing 188, thought it was a recovery 58 for six. Zimbabwe reached the target in before the 45th over, losing just three wickets.
"We didn't perform well at all, especially our top five batsmen," Shakib said after the game. "Nobody scored runs. When you're playing an ODI game and the top five are not scoring any runs, it is hard for the team to come back and put a good total on the board."
The top-order collapse was a worryingly recurrent theme for the visitors, having slumped to 43 for 5 in the previous game. Shakib believed it was a mental issue, as opposed to a question of talent. "We have to ask everyone separately what's going through their mind," he said. "It has nothing to do with their technique, but their mindset."
"They are bowling well there's no doubt. But we are capable of handling this bowling … It will show how tough we are, if we can bounce back; otherwise we are not tough enough. We are not too soft to give up so easily."
That Bangladesh reached 188 was down to a strong rearguard from debutant Nasir Hossain, who made 63 batting at No. 8 - an effort that his captain appreciated. "He played very well, given it was his first game," Shakib said. "Normally there's pressure in that situation … when he got to bat we were 58 for 6. He played a good innings from that position. I hope he contributes [consistently], it was a special innings."
Zimbabwe have been the better team by far throughout the tour, starting with the one-off Test that they won in impressive fashion, despite Bangladesh opener Tamim Iqbal writing off their attack and terming the impressive Vitori "ordinary".
"I think you should ask the person who made this comment," Shakib said when asked for his take on the "ordinary" verdict. "I think they're well prepared and they're better than us in all three departments."
Vitori has been Bangladesh's bugbear since the first innings of the Test, even before Tamim made his comment, following up an impressive Test debut with an unprecedented brace of five-fors in his first two ODIs. No bowler had taken more than eight wickets in his first two ODIs before Vitori's feat, and his captain Brendan Taylor was effusive in praise.
"It is an amazing start," Taylor said after the game. "He is a new world-record holder. He is a great guy to work with, a very hungry cricketer.
"I am slightly surprised [by Bangladesh's collapses]. They bat to No. 7 but credit must go to the bowlers. We didn't give them many opportunities to score. Bowlers stuck to their guns after they got hit for boundaries."
Despite his side's dominance in the first two games, Taylor refused to take things lightly. "I remember in 2005 we were 2-0 up and then lost 3-2," he said. "We're not expecting a series win straight away. We know they will try to bounce back but we have to be a step ahead.
"Tuesday's a massive game. If we lose there it is 2-1 and Bangladesh have a chance to get back in the series. We'll go away tomorrow and regroup in a team meeting. There are not too many things we're concerned about. We will stay humble and when it comes game time, we want to be 100% up for it."
BANGLADESH captain Shakib Al Hassan, blamed his misfiring batting line-up for his side's dismal show in Zimbabwe as they slumped to their second straight defeat in the five-match ODI series. His charges crumbled to an unconvincing 188, thought it was a recovery 58 for six. Zimbabwe reached the target in before the 45th over, losing just three wickets.
"We didn't perform well at all, especially our top five batsmen," Shakib said after the game. "Nobody scored runs. When you're playing an ODI game and the top five are not scoring any runs, it is hard for the team to come back and put a good total on the board."
The top-order collapse was a worryingly recurrent theme for the visitors, having slumped to 43 for 5 in the previous game. Shakib believed it was a mental issue, as opposed to a question of talent. "We have to ask everyone separately what's going through their mind," he said. "It has nothing to do with their technique, but their mindset."
"They are bowling well there's no doubt. But we are capable of handling this bowling … It will show how tough we are, if we can bounce back; otherwise we are not tough enough. We are not too soft to give up so easily."
That Bangladesh reached 188 was down to a strong rearguard from debutant Nasir Hossain, who made 63 batting at No. 8 - an effort that his captain appreciated. "He played very well, given it was his first game," Shakib said. "Normally there's pressure in that situation … when he got to bat we were 58 for 6. He played a good innings from that position. I hope he contributes [consistently], it was a special innings."
Zimbabwe have been the better team by far throughout the tour, starting with the one-off Test that they won in impressive fashion, despite Bangladesh opener Tamim Iqbal writing off their attack and terming the impressive Vitori "ordinary".
"I think you should ask the person who made this comment," Shakib said when asked for his take on the "ordinary" verdict. "I think they're well prepared and they're better than us in all three departments."
Vitori has been Bangladesh's bugbear since the first innings of the Test, even before Tamim made his comment, following up an impressive Test debut with an unprecedented brace of five-fors in his first two ODIs. No bowler had taken more than eight wickets in his first two ODIs before Vitori's feat, and his captain Brendan Taylor was effusive in praise.
"It is an amazing start," Taylor said after the game. "He is a new world-record holder. He is a great guy to work with, a very hungry cricketer.
"I am slightly surprised [by Bangladesh's collapses]. They bat to No. 7 but credit must go to the bowlers. We didn't give them many opportunities to score. Bowlers stuck to their guns after they got hit for boundaries."
Despite his side's dominance in the first two games, Taylor refused to take things lightly. "I remember in 2005 we were 2-0 up and then lost 3-2," he said. "We're not expecting a series win straight away. We know they will try to bounce back but we have to be a step ahead.
"Tuesday's a massive game. If we lose there it is 2-1 and Bangladesh have a chance to get back in the series. We'll go away tomorrow and regroup in a team meeting. There are not too many things we're concerned about. We will stay humble and when it comes game time, we want to be 100% up for it."
VITORI BREAKS WORLD RECORD
as Zim beat Bangladesh
GODFREY C. KOTI, HARARE
Brian Vitori became the first bowler in the world to grab two five wicket hauls in a row as Zimbabwe recorded their second win against Bangladesh; giving them comfortable a two nil series lead. Brian Vitori tore the Bangladesh line-up apart, with his second ODI five-for in his second appearance to for his country. Vusi Sibanda built the foundation for the chase, before Tatenda Taibu's half-century sealed the win.
The hosts have won both matches of the series so far and while still enjoying the lead, they have three more ODI matches to go.
On Friday Vitori became just the seventh bowler in history to take a five-wicket haul on one-day debut, and he followed that up on Sunday by taking five for 20 - the sixth best figures by a Zimbabwean bowler in ODIs, as Bangladesh were bowled out for 188.
Zimbabwe lost their captain Brendan Taylor early on in the chase after he had only contributed runs on the board. Vusi Sibanda followed up his 96 in the series opener on Friday with a steady 67, before Tatenda Taibu finished unbeaten on 61 from 74 balls as the hosts coasted home with almost six overs to spare.
The match was in many respects a reflection of Friday's clash, with Bangladesh's top order collapsing cheaply before the lower middle order pulled things back, and then Sibanda providing the spine of the successful reply.
Debutant Nasir Hossain was the hero for the tourists with the bat, rescuing his brittle side from 58 for six by making 63 from the number eight position.
Vitori had removed both Bangladeshi openers, while Chris Mpofu bounced out Mushfiqur Rahim after the wicketkeeper-batsman had been promoted to number three, leaving Bangladesh struggling on 26 for three.
Shahriar Nafees and Mohammad Ashraful attempted to take the patient approach to rebuilding, but the introduction of Elton Chigumbura put paid to their efforts as Nafees popped a slower delivery straight to cover and Ashraful edged behind.
When Prosper Utseya had Mahmudullah caught behind shortly afterwards the Tigers were 58 for six and in danger of being beaten by lunch.
Instead Nasir gave support to skipper Shakib Al Hasan as the duo put on 53 for the seventh wicket, with the debutant particularly harsh in putting away the short ball.
Vitori returned for an over to break the partnership as he trapped Shakib lbw for 26, but Bangladesh counter-attacked through Abdur Razzak as his 32-ball 35 added 75 to the score alongside Nasir.
Again it took Vitori to break through, as he returned for his final spell and had Nasir caught in the deep, then bowled Razzak with a peach of a delivery that hit the top of off stump.
With Rubel Hossain run out off the very next ball, Bangladesh were all out with 15 deliveries left unused and Vitori had the record for most wickets taken by a bowler in his first two one-day internationals.
The hosts brushed aside the early loss of their skipper thanks to a sturdy 83-run partnership between Sibanda and Hamilton Masakadza which took the score to 87 for one, before Masakadza failed to read Mahmudullah's delivery and was stumped for 38.
However any thoughts of a Bangladeshi revival were snuffed out by the arrival of Taibu, who calmly added 59 for the third wicket with Sibanda.
The opening batsman was in no great hurry due to the low required run-rate, taking 96 balls for his innings as he happily played second fiddle to Taibu.
Part-timer Mohammad Ashraful eventually got the better of Sibanda, but by that stage Zimbabwe were just 43 runs from victory and Craig Ervine gave Taibu the much needed support until the end.
Bangladesh fell apart at the seams as defeat neared, dropping a simple chance from Taibu and then helping him to fifty with seven runs from one delivery, when the batsmen ran three and then collected four overthrows.
GODFREY C. KOTI, HARARE
Brian Vitori became the first bowler in the world to grab two five wicket hauls in a row as Zimbabwe recorded their second win against Bangladesh; giving them comfortable a two nil series lead. Brian Vitori tore the Bangladesh line-up apart, with his second ODI five-for in his second appearance to for his country. Vusi Sibanda built the foundation for the chase, before Tatenda Taibu's half-century sealed the win.
The hosts have won both matches of the series so far and while still enjoying the lead, they have three more ODI matches to go.
On Friday Vitori became just the seventh bowler in history to take a five-wicket haul on one-day debut, and he followed that up on Sunday by taking five for 20 - the sixth best figures by a Zimbabwean bowler in ODIs, as Bangladesh were bowled out for 188.
Zimbabwe lost their captain Brendan Taylor early on in the chase after he had only contributed runs on the board. Vusi Sibanda followed up his 96 in the series opener on Friday with a steady 67, before Tatenda Taibu finished unbeaten on 61 from 74 balls as the hosts coasted home with almost six overs to spare.
The match was in many respects a reflection of Friday's clash, with Bangladesh's top order collapsing cheaply before the lower middle order pulled things back, and then Sibanda providing the spine of the successful reply.
Debutant Nasir Hossain was the hero for the tourists with the bat, rescuing his brittle side from 58 for six by making 63 from the number eight position.
Vitori had removed both Bangladeshi openers, while Chris Mpofu bounced out Mushfiqur Rahim after the wicketkeeper-batsman had been promoted to number three, leaving Bangladesh struggling on 26 for three.
Shahriar Nafees and Mohammad Ashraful attempted to take the patient approach to rebuilding, but the introduction of Elton Chigumbura put paid to their efforts as Nafees popped a slower delivery straight to cover and Ashraful edged behind.
When Prosper Utseya had Mahmudullah caught behind shortly afterwards the Tigers were 58 for six and in danger of being beaten by lunch.
Instead Nasir gave support to skipper Shakib Al Hasan as the duo put on 53 for the seventh wicket, with the debutant particularly harsh in putting away the short ball.
Vitori returned for an over to break the partnership as he trapped Shakib lbw for 26, but Bangladesh counter-attacked through Abdur Razzak as his 32-ball 35 added 75 to the score alongside Nasir.
Again it took Vitori to break through, as he returned for his final spell and had Nasir caught in the deep, then bowled Razzak with a peach of a delivery that hit the top of off stump.
With Rubel Hossain run out off the very next ball, Bangladesh were all out with 15 deliveries left unused and Vitori had the record for most wickets taken by a bowler in his first two one-day internationals.
The hosts brushed aside the early loss of their skipper thanks to a sturdy 83-run partnership between Sibanda and Hamilton Masakadza which took the score to 87 for one, before Masakadza failed to read Mahmudullah's delivery and was stumped for 38.
However any thoughts of a Bangladeshi revival were snuffed out by the arrival of Taibu, who calmly added 59 for the third wicket with Sibanda.
The opening batsman was in no great hurry due to the low required run-rate, taking 96 balls for his innings as he happily played second fiddle to Taibu.
Part-timer Mohammad Ashraful eventually got the better of Sibanda, but by that stage Zimbabwe were just 43 runs from victory and Craig Ervine gave Taibu the much needed support until the end.
Bangladesh fell apart at the seams as defeat neared, dropping a simple chance from Taibu and then helping him to fifty with seven runs from one delivery, when the batsmen ran three and then collected four overthrows.
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