*Official* Bangladesh in Zimbabwe

[Woodster]

Can't see Bangladesh turning this around, Tamim gave them some hope with his cameo, but a whirlwind 43 is not going to win them this game. Time for Ashraful to stand up after so many disappointments, but the momentum is with Zimbabwe, and Ray Price may play a bigger part on the final day

 

[flibbertyjibber]

Can't see Bangladesh ending up getting anything from this. May have been a generous/foolhardy declaration but it may have worked in Zims favour. Good luck to them tomorrow and in the future.

 

[BoyBrumby]

Would be great to see Zimbabwe get up.

It'd also be nice if Bangladesh's inability to beat a team return after half a decade's self-imposed exile saw them removed from the FTP too. No problems with them playing tests, but them getting their arses handed to them in England, India, SA & Oz serves no purpose.

 

[Outswinger@Pace]

These men - Vitori and Jarvis - should go places in the near future. I have been very impressed with Zim's overall performance in this test. They deserve to win.

Even though anarchy is Zimbabwe's only hope for salvation as a nation; their cricket seems to be headed in the right direction. Somehow I have a very uneasy feeling that some careers are going to be ruined due to political reasons once again. Ah well! One hopes for the best.

 

[EnglishCricket]

Would be great to see Zimbabwe get up.

It'd also be nice if Bangladesh's inability to beat a team return after half a decade's self-imposed exile saw them removed from the FTP too. No problems with them playing tests, but them getting their arses handed to them in England, India, SA & Oz serves no purpose.

Totally agree, that's why a two tier Test league would work and it would also allow teams like Ireland to enter Test cricket and develop the game in that country.

 

[flibbertyjibber]

Totally agree, that's why a two tier Test league would work and it would also allow teams like Ireland to enter Test cricket and develop the game in that country.

Yeah, and Australia might win a series.

 

[EnglishCricket]

Yeah, and Australia might win a series.

That too

 

[TT Boy]

If the Zim attack is so useless, I wonder what Tamim makes of his teammates? You know the seam attack where no seamer averages fewer than 65 with the ball or the spinner who darts them and average 60+ a wicket.

Zimbabwe v Bangladesh: 'If we don't do anything silly, we will win' - Tamim Iqbal | Zimbabwe v Bangladesh, Only Test, Harare, 4th day Report | Cricket News | ESPN Cricinfo

For a cricketer with such an ordinary record (comparatively) and who plays for a joke of a side, he has got a decent chip on his shoulder.

 

[Flem274*]

I've decided I like Imrul Kayes if no-one else does. It's not a hateable offence to be somewhat on the crap side.

I like him as well. It's funny how he annoys everyone else so much.

 

[Athlai]

I like him as well. It's funny how he annoys everyone else so much.

He was in your hate XI.

 

[TT Boy]

Would be great to see Zimbabwe get up.

It'd also be nice if Bangladesh's inability to beat a team return after half a decade's self-imposed exile saw them removed from the FTP too. No problems with them playing tests, but them getting their arses handed to them in England, India, SA & Oz serves no purpose.

I don't think Bangladesh have ever played a test in India tbf. But your right all the same and this test illustrates just how far back Bangladesh are as a test side. When only 2 of your guys would get into the current Zim test side, then you know your ****ed.

 

[Prince EWS]

I don't think Bangladesh have ever played a test in India tbf. But your right all the same and this test illustrates just how far back Bangladesh are as a test side. When only 2 of your guys would get into the current Zim test side, then you know your ****ed.

Would take Mahmudullah over Elton so that's three but yeah, interesting point.

 

[Athlai]

I'd have Rahim in the Zimbabwe team too albeit as a batsman.

 

[Prince EWS]

I'd have Rahim in the Zimbabwe team too albeit as a batsman.

I thought about that, but once Ervine, Mawoyo and Elton get the flick for the three other blokes then only players left to replace in the middle order are Masakadza, Taylor and Taibu, and I wouldn't have Rahim over them. You'd have to drop Sibanda and move Masakadza or Taylor up to open, and I don't think it's worth it.

 

[Athlai]

Tamim
Sibanda
Masakadza
Taylor
Rahim
Shakib
Taibu
Marmadoola
Bowler
Bowler
Bowler

Yeah I see the issue there.

 

[Prince EWS]

Tamim
Sibanda
Masakadza
Taylor
Rahim
Shakib
Taibu
Marmadoola
Bowler
Bowler
Bowler

Yeah I see the issue there.

You'd basically have to drop Price to do that, which would be ******** (no eels).

Despite my post before, I'd probably keep Elton and flick Mpofu because he'd lengthen the batting lineup and isn't a significantly worse bowler, especially given Shakib would be in the team as the fifth bowler and would bowl stacks anyway. He's basically just have to bowl a short spell at first change with each new ball.

1 Sibanda
2 Tamim
3 Masakadza
4 Taylor
5 Taibu
6 Shakib
7 Mahmudullah
8 Chigumbura
9 Price
10 Vitori
11 Jarvis

I'd actually pick Rainsford if he was fit but he isn't.

 

[TT Boy]

Can't see Bangladesh ending up getting anything from this. May have been a generous/foolhardy declaration but it may have worked in Zims favour. Good luck to them tomorrow and in the future.

It was a strange declaration and I think Zim were obviously thinking Bangladesh can’t bat but the wicket is flat and their attack completely unproven. Taylor at the close of play stated that but he and Ervine should at least have had a mad half-hour or so before declaring. Still, 3 wickets down and only 1 over so far from their ace card, Price (averages 25 in 3rd/4th innings), so they are firmly in the pound seat.

Still plenty of improvement needed though before they play Pak and NZ. Tino's dismissal second innings for me showed that the guy can't really bat; as a good player would have 1. Hit the ball, 2. Hit it for four while Elton is taking up valuable real estate, get a real batsman in for him and drop Mpofu. Must say Sibanda looked immense in both innings, real solid and lovely to watch, but pretty iffy against anything pitched up and strangely anything angled into him.

 

[Athlai]

A fit Mortaza could possibly get in there ahead of Chigy.

And yeah the declaration could have been a disaster, if Tamim had managed to stay till the close of play I'd probably even go so far as to say Bangers might have been favourites.

 

[TT Boy]

Would take Mahmudullah over Elton so that's three but yeah, interesting point.

Elton wouldn’t be in my Zim side. Get Forster Mutizwa in there or make a real beeline for Gary Ballance before the England poach.

 

[Prince EWS]

A fit Mortaza could possibly get in there ahead of Chigy.

And yeah the declaration could have been a disaster, if Tamim had managed to stay till the close of play I'd probably even go so far as to say Bangers might have been favourites.

Yeah as Uppercut said, it wasn't really aggressive or innovative captaincy as it gave them less time to bowl Bangladesh out anyway. If Bangladesh win this they'll do it well before close so it doesn't make a lot of sense. I guess he might've been thinking that Bangladesh's batsmen might bat recklessly if they think they're in with a chance but they'd bat recklessly anyway IMO because that's what they're like.