Second Test: Cricket Web XI vs Bangladesh
at Fardin Qayyumi CC
Scorecard
Commentary
Peter Young continued a triumphant return to Test cricket with a second double-century, suggesting, at least for the moment, that Brendan Goff's contributions from number three in the order will not be missed. On a fine batting wicket, Cricket Web prevailed by 274 runs to take an easy 2-0 series win, while Young lifted his career batting average by five notches. Also notable was the stunning recovery of Thamba Mamesh, who came back from a golden duck to slam 188 vital runs as Bangladesh were grounded into submission.
Cricket Web batted first on a sunny day in Goffmouth, but Mortaza struck gold immediately, with one swinging away off Mamesh' bat to Nafees at third slip. And that was it. Mørk and Young notched up 44 from the next 47 deliveries, going on the attack immediately, and with Tamim slipping one through his hands, assurance came over the batsmen. By lunch, the total was 125 for one, and the match and the series appeared to go firmly the way of the Webheads.
Rafique got the honour of the second innings, a weary outside edge from Mørk on 81; the wicket-keeper looked anxious to get back in the pavilion to watch Dev League coverage. This brought Cloete in for a chance to redeem himself, and after getting a life on 18, he eased to 48 before smashing the new ball to Bashar.
All the while, Young had quietly assembled another fine innings. Having scored his first century in 76 Test innings just the previous week, he had now acquired back-to-back hundreds shortly before tea, and eked Saqibul for a single to make it past 150 yet again despite some nervy edges off Mortaza's second new ball. He survived, and after rain washed out the morning session, he came back into his groove after that and shared a his sixth-wicket lesson in counter-attacking the spinners with Wilson. With the threat of rain in the air, the two scored at a rate just below five an over, with Young driving Rafique for four and the double century midway through the first proper session of play. Shahadat was eventually the lucky bowler as Young wafted to Rafique, but his 204 had already given the Webheads a hefty platform to play with.
Bangladesh once more had the measure of the tail, though Kennett smashed a six, thus inducing five coronaries and the bankruptcies of several major bookmakers. However, Thomas got in an over before tea, nabbing the wicket of Omar with his second ball in what was probably his finest over all match.
Kennett struck in the over after tea, taking Bashar out for a seven-ball nine, but there was for a change dogged resistance from Bangladesh. Though Rahim managed to inside-edge an innocuous delivery from Butler, Rajin Saleh and Shahriar Nafees batted with conviction, feasting on Thomas' second spell as they raced to a stand of 73. Halsey, however, struck in his second over, but Saqibul and Rajin held out as the second day ended, leaving the tourists 307 behind with six wickets in hand.
Rajin continued his excellent vigil on the third day. Having spent his first 28 balls to reach 39, he then went into a mode of resistance, fighting off Pickup's googlies and Thomas' bouncers with ease. The hundred was applauded by every man in the half-filled stadium, though by that time Bangladesh were nine down after Wilson had dug into the tail-enders. A further 36 runs came after lunch, however, before Wilson struck again to enjoy the best figures of the match, even though his highest-batting wicket was Rafique.
With the clock already past three on the third day, runs were required. Mørk and Mamesh settled in neatly for a 158-run first-wicket partnership, though Mørk was very uncomfortable attempting to attack Rafique and eventually gave up a simple catch for Bashar at midwicket. This, however, was to the betterment of the team, as Young entered to form an even more brutal partnership with Mamesh. One Shahadat over on the fourth morning went for 25 runs - all off Mamesh - as the 150 was brought up off 148 balls. Though Rafique struck a couple of times, removing Mamesh for a Test-high 188, Cricket Web achieved the main objective of scoring bucketloads before lunch, smacking 219 in the 35-over session.
Bangladesh were left with five sessions for 601 - a mere formality. It appeared the bowlers thought so too, because they were decidedly off the boil, though credit goes out to Nafees and Rahim for good batting. Nafees collected his second 52 of the day before Halsey once more claimed his scalp, leaving Bangladesh at 83 for three on the stroke of tea.
There was to be no repeat of the Rajin century, though, but the remainder of the order impressed greatly. Saqibul and Tamim recorded belligerent fifties, while even Rafique joined in on the fun at the end, lashing six fours in his 37. Yet, Kennett came out on top, and Thomas returned after being brutally smashed to claim Rafique and Mortaza for some redemption. With the total nearing 300, Tamim was stranded after a misunderstanding with Mortaza, and the last resistor was broken by Young as he held the final catch diving forward from silly point.
Cricket Web XI 473 all out
PE Young 204, H Mørk 81, MW Wilson 60; Mashrafe Mortaza 3-123
Bangladesh 295 all out
Rajin Saleh 122*, Shahriar Nafees 52; MW Wilson 4-41
Cricket Web XI 422 for five declared
T Mamesh 188, PE Young 98, H Mørk 66; Mohammad Rafique 3-113
Bangladesh 326 all out
Tamim Iqbal 65, Saqibul Hasan 57, Shahriar Nafees 52; DM Kennett 4-91, TC Halsey 3-46
Cricket Web XI won by 274 runs
Man of the Match: P. E. Young (Cricket Web XI)
Cricket Web XI Test statistics
Bangladesh Test statistics