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Zimbabwe mentally weak with the bat

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ZIMBABWE’S awful batting was to blame for the dismal Test cricket loss to hosts Bangladesh in the first of three Test matches in Mirpur, Bangladesh.
After winning the toss Zimbabwe opted to bat first.
Vusimuzi Sibanda and Sikanda Raza Butt were the openers for Zimbabwe. The first wicket partnership disappointed putting just six runs to the board.
Sibanda’s poor show let the team down only managing one boundary from the five balls he faced. It was sad for the Zimbabwe opener who captained the Zimbabwe A side in the Asian country.
There were expectations that the hard-hitting Sibanda would contribute meaningful runs to the scoreboard. He had adapted to the weather and bowling of the Asians.
However, the only silver lining in a dark cloud was the third wicket partnership of Brendan Taylor and Butt. They contributed 52 runs. Raza made 24 while Taylor added 28 runs. The 52-runs partnership was the third highest in the match.
The sixth wicket partnership of Craig Ervine (22) and Regis Chakabva (18) also made meaningful contribution of 50 runs.
Zimbabwe managed to post a total of 240 runs all out in 75,5 overs. The target was not so hard for the hosts to chase and posted 254 runs in 97,6 overs.
The visitors’ run rate was higher but they failed to protect their wickets. Going into the second innings Zimbabwe trailed by 14 runs. The deficit did not give the Chevrons a headache as the first wicket partnership of Sibanda and Regis Chakabva made 19 runs.
The fall of the wicket of Sibanda was the beginning of the tragedy. Sibanda made 14 runs and was replaced by Masakadza who struggled with the bat. He made five runs before he left for the pavilion.
The rest of the batsmen struggled managing a paltry 114 runs. Captain Taylor managed 45 runs not out while Butt added 25 runs. Chakabva and Ervine made 10 runs each while the rest scored single digit figures. Elton Chigumbura, Tinashe Panyangara and debutant Tafadzwa Kamungozi were all dismissed for a duck.
Chigumbura managed to pay for his poor show with the bat with the ball. He got 4/21 in 10,3 overs he bowled while Panyangara made 2/30 in eight overs he bowled. Panyangara had earlier got five wickets in the first innings.
The Chevrons’ bowling attack was impressive but the batting let the team down.
Test captain Taylor admitted that the batting was weak commending the bowlers.
“Credit to Bangladesh, we were mentally weak with the bat, we can’t win Tests like that. Our bowlers showed a lot of character. You have to have the mindset that you can win from any situation. We started well and had them three down but dropped two chances. Mushy (Mushfiqur Rahim) held his end and marshalled his troops very well. Long knocks are our major worry, 20s and 30s won’t help. They played better cricket and we’ll come back stronger in the second Test. There was pace and bounce so it was fun. The grounds men made a good wicket,” said the Chevrons captain.
Bangladesh are the lowest ranked test playing team in the world. A loss for Zimbabwe may see the visitors relinquishing the number nine spot to the Asians.
A polished act is expected from the visitors who go into a decisive second test against the hosts at Khulna. It’s a must win for the visitors if they are to reclaim the series.

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