Mehluli Sibanda, Senior Sports Reporter
ZIMBABWE were left with a daunting task of scoring 337 runs on the final day of the one-off cricket Test match against Bangladesh which ends at Harare Sports Club today.
With stand-in captain Brendan Taylor and opening batsman Takudzwanashe Kaitano dismissed on the fourth day, with Zimbabwe left reeling on 140/3 in their second innings, the home team still require an unlikely 337 in a minimum 90 overs left in the match.
Bangladesh, who made 468 runs in their first innings declared their second dig on 284/1 in 64 overs.
Najmul Shanto top scored with an unbeaten 117 runs while Shadman Islam was also unconquered on 115 before Bangladesh decided to call time on their second innings. The only Bangladesh wicket to fall in their second innings was that of Saif Hassan who departed for 43 runs, dismissed by left arm seamer Richard Ngarava.
Zimbabwe, all out for 276 in their first innings were left with a target of 477 runs, something they have never achieved before.
Milton Shumba went early for 11 runs before Taylor put on 95 runs for the second wicket with Kaitano. Taylor scored the bulk of the runs in that partnership before he departed for 92. Kaitano had done well to fend off deliveries but he fell with three overs to go for a 102-ball seven runs.
Brendan Taylor and Takudzwanashe Kaitano at the crease on day four against Bangladesh
While Zimbabwe have seven wickets in hand, their remaining batsmen lack the experience to bat for the better part of the day to save the match. Things can go either way depending on the Zimbabwean batsmen apply themselves on the last day.
One thing for sure, Bangladesh are smelling victory and will apply the pressure on the inexperienced remaining Zimbabwean batsmen to win this once-off Test contest.
Many will remember Donald Tiripano’s heroics against Afghanistan in the second Test in the United Arab Emirates when he made a career best 95 runs off 258 deliveries. Tiripano and Regis Chakabva will certainly be key if Zimbabwe are to survive defeat on the final day. — @Mdawini_29