Bangladesh-Zimbabwe clash rests on a knife’s edge, Mominul Haque stresses on controlling crunch moments

The Sylhet Test between the host Bangladesh and Zimbabwe is turning out to be a close one. The match has been cut short due to rain and bad light. Still, there was 44 overs of play on the third day. Bangladesh are currently 112 runs ahead with 6 wickets in hand.

Bangladesh batters get decent starts

On the third day of the Test, Bangladesh started 25 runs behind Zimbabwe. Earlier in the first innings, Bangladesh were bowled out for 191 as Zimbabwe bowlers dominated. The visitors went on to take a sizeable lead as they scored 273 in 80.2 overs. With 82 runs behind, Bangladesh started the third inning under pressure.

However, they have done well to score close to 200 runs. Mahmudul Hasan Joy and Mominul Haque got starts, but couldn’t capitalise. Joy was dismissed for 33, while Haque returned to the dugout after scoring 47 runs. Captain Najmul Hossain Shanto has done well to score a half-century and is still batting at 60.

Bangladesh are 194/4 after 57 overs, with an effective lead of 112 runs.

Mominul Haque wants Bangladesh to set a 300+ target

Speaking at the end of the day’s play, Haque said, “We will be happy with a 300-run lead; if not, [then] 270 or 280,” Mominul said. “We will be in a better position if we can give them a 300-plus target. We have some capable tailenders like Hasan Mahmud and Taijul Islam, apart from the proper batters Shanto and Jaker Ali. We also have Miraz. They will have to bat calculatedly. We have to take control of the crunch moments tomorrow. That’s what is giving me confidence [of getting a big lead].”

Muzarabani hopeful of a win

Blessing Muzarabani emphasised that Zimbabwe are still in the contest. He said, “Ideally, [we want to keep the lead] under 200 runs,” he said. “We shouldn’t, however, think about the runs. We should think about taking wickets. It won’t be easy getting those Bangladesh wickets. We have to show more discipline. We are definitely in the game. Test cricket is all about day after day. There’s more time left in the game. We have the belief that we are ahead. It was a tough day for us today. Bangladesh fought really hard. We will take it, though.”

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