Operation Brickwall earns Tigers win

A 116-over vigil from 20-year-old Nafis Iqbal anchored Bangladesh to a draw at the Bangabandu Stadium in Dhaka as they sealed their first Test series win.

Resuming on 98-0 following 55 overs of self-denial on the fourth evening, the Bangladeshi approach in aiming for the draw continued throughout the final day. Javed Omar and Nafis Iqbal stayed together for 28 further overs, adding another 35 runs until - minutes before the lunch interval, Graeme Cremer found Javed's outside edge and Brendon Taylor's hands at slip.

Habibul Bashar and Mohammad Ashraful then followed for single figures as Bangladesh stuttered before Rajin Saleh restored stability and allowed Nafis to make progress towards his second first class century and first in Test cricket.

Tinashe Panyangara was the Zimbabwean who finally removed Nafis, again caught by Taylor, and Aftab Ahmed quickly followed off the same bowler, skipper Tatenda Taibu taking the catch.

With 21 overs remaining, there was never time for Zimbabwe to finish the job, and Rajin and Khaled Mashud added a spark of brightness into a slow final day, Rajin striking three consecutive fours to bring up his half century.

Bangladesh reached stumps on 285-5, still 89 short of their target, but the crucial factor was that they avoided defeat, and with their First Test victory they sealed their first ever series win.

Notwithstanding the patent inadequacy of the opposition, the psychological effect of match and series wins can only do good for Bangladeshi cricket. With tours of India and England to come, is this the long-awaited first step?

Zimbabwe 298
T Taibu 85*, S Matsikenyeri 51
Enamul Haque 7-95, Tapash Baisya 2-67
Bangladesh 211
Mohammad Rafique 56, Javed Omar 34
DT Hondo 6-59, AG Cremer 2-32
Zimbabwe 286
T Taibu 153, BRM Taylor 78
Enamul Haque 5-105, Mashrafe Mortaza 3-51
Bangladesh 285-5
Nafis Iqbal 121, Rajin Saleh 56*
T Panyangara 3-28, AG Cremer 2-61

CricketWeb Player of the Match
Tatenda Taibu - 85* and 153

CricketWeb Player of the Series
Enamul Haque junior
18 wickets @ 16.66
3x5wI, 1x10wM, BB 7-95

Posted by Neil