By Perkins Bare.
Zimbabwe. (News Of The South) – Zimbabweans got off to a shaky start in their 3-day practice match against a plucky Bangladesh XI side that looked set to disappoint the visitors from the onset.
Zimbabweans managed to gobble up a total of 241 runs with Sikander Raza coming out tops with 41 runs from an allotted.
First up on stumps for the Zimbabweans were Vusi Sibanda and Brian Chari but it ended prematurely as Sibanda departed for a paltry 8 runs in the first ball of the second over.
This then saw Sikandar Raza, who came in as the third man finding the task of steadying the ship well as together with Chari they powered to a partnership of 63 runs before Chari ended the marriage on a sour note following a tricky ball from Hasan got him confused.
Sikandar Raza continued with the power hitting as he garnered 5 fours and a 6 all at a strike rate of 61.11. In total he had an outstanding 44 runs from 72 balls. After Chari in came in the big man Hamilton Masakadza who was also the oldest of the Masakadza trio on the day.
Four runs later Razz as he is popularly known was to end his day as he closed off after failing to build a second successful partnership bringing in Brendan Taylor who`s on a high after being selected to play for the World XI last month.
Taylor partered with Masakadza quite well as their partnership had a decent 36 runs which cme in handy after the falling of the first couple of wickets especially Sikandar Raza`s which was a big blow to Zimbabweans.
Taylor then departed for 19 from 39 balls with 2 fours in his innings paving way for the returning Craig Ervine who is set to stamp his presence in the squad. It was however not all gloomy for Ervine as he showed that he is still a bit rusty departing for 5 runs at a wasteful strike rate of 20.83.
In came the power hitting Elton Chigumbura as he made two meaningful partnerships one with Malcolm Waller which had 23 runs and another one with Richard Mutumbami which had 21 runs before he also departed as the Chevron domino powered its way to the end as it is popular for.
After Chigumbura came in Shingi Masakadza who partnered with his brother Wellington Masakadza. Shingi had two fours and a six as Zimbabweans were now set to avoid an embarrassing score especially against their arch nemesis as the two minnows in world cricket battle it out to see who is the better of the two sides.
Zimbabweans then closed off at a respectable figure of 241 after Bangladesh required the use of all their bowlers forcing the Bangladesh XI to bat on the first day and also hoping to nick an early wicket before the close of play on day 1.
BCBXI then opened up with Shamsur Rahman and Shadman Islam with only 10 overs remaining only for Shadman Islam to fall an early victim to Elton Chigumbura, being bowled out for a paltry duck and ending the first day of the three matches on 11/1.
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