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'We can still win'

AlMUSABBIR Sadi from Chittagong
Nobody took it seriously when Zimbabwe vicecaptain Mluleki Nkala said on
Friday that the first Test was far from over.
Perhaps Nkala’s bold assertion made during the briefing after the second day's play was more of an exaggeration given ihe fact that Zimbabwe had slumped to 84-4 at stumps in reply to Bangladesh's massive first innings total of488.
But his words turned true after his captain Tatenda Thibu resurrected the innings with able supports from Brendan Taylor and Elton Chigumbura.
And Taibu had every reason to smile when he appeared at a briefing after the third day's play at the MA Aziz Stadium yesterday.
"Now we are in a better position than we were yesterday. And actually, we are not thinking about saving this match, we are thinking about winning. It's still possible to win ifwe can bat a bit longer tomorrow. It will put pressure on Bangladesh to come out and give a declaration in the second innings," Thibu said.
"And taking into consideration that our top order did not score much, it is likely that when they come out to bat again, they will be hungry for runs and win. And the wicket is still good for batting.
"It was an okay day for us. The players really applied themselves.
The plan was to avoid the follow-on and we have achieved that. We have got a pretty strong middleorder and I told the guys as long as you believe in yourselves that you are able to score big hundreds and stay long at the wicket, you will be able to do something. I am sure they got the message. And Ellon Chigumbura played his natural game," said the tiny wicketkeeper-batsman after scoring a career-best 92.
" A natural stroke-maker Taibu
—T———
however refrained from playing his trademark pull or hook shots because the situation demanded a cautious approach.
"They bowled wicket to wicket for lbws (decisions). So, 1 had to play straight."
On his dismissal in the 90s, Taibu said: "It was very disappointing. I was looking forward to my maiden Test century. I think I really played well to deserve that."
For the Tigers, things did not go according theirway.
"We had plans to take ten wickets but that was not to be. We all saw how difficult that was. 1 think the boys played very well," said coach DavWliatmore.
"We have to take two more wickets before we build up a total and hope the pitch holds some more tricks on the fifth day" •
Praising the Zi mbabwean batting effort, Whatmore thought that his boys toiled hard on a fast outfield but did a good job restricting the opposition's scoring rate to two and a half runs per over on an unresponsive pitch.
"That was absolutely fantastic."
Scoring fast in the second innings will be the key to victory as Bangladesh attempt to take the remaining two wickets early and bat till the tea before putting Zimbabwe in again. *
"Our first target is to get those two first innings wickets tomoirow as early as possible and then build a sizeable lead before the final session tomorrow."
Whatmore admitted he was a bit surprised by the behaviour of the wicket. FROM PAGE 13
"I thought it was a bit drier than the wicket we played against India, which suggested it might spin. There are certain spots that do spin though, but not enough."
Whatmore however praised the effort of left-arm spinner Enamul Haque although he finished wicketless.
" I thought he was looking like the one to take wickets. He beat the bat more than anybody else but cricket is like that."
Bangladesh, a team used to playing on the back-foot, are now in the unusual position of going for the kill and Whatmore was the first to admit it.
"It was different and interesting to see how they reacted. I thought they stuck to their task well and hope that they will continue to do the right things In the next two days to enforce the right result," hoped a confidentWhatmore.
SCOREBOARD
Scoreboard at stumps on the third day of the first Test between Bangladesh and Zimbabwe at the MA Aziz Stadium in Chittagong on Saturday:
BANGLADESH: First innings 488 (Bashar 94, Saleh 89. Rafique 69, Iqbal 56; Mpofu 4-109, Nkala 2-50) ZIMBABWE: First innings (over-night84-4)
Mats ikenyeric Bashar bBaisya 28 Rogers run out 5
SibandaIbwb Rafique 12
Masakadzab Mashrafee 29 Cremer Ibwb Rafique 0
Taylor lbw b Mashrafee 39 Taibu Ibwb Rafique 92
ChigumburacMashudb Rafique 71 Nkala not out 20
Hondo not out 0
Extras:(b-l,lb-l,nb-9,w-l) 12 Total: (For8 wkts in 122 overs) 308 Fall ofwickets: 1-31,2-48,3-59,4-59. 5-86,6-152,7-271,8-308 To bat: Mpofu
Bowler O M R W
Mashrafee 26 10 ’6 2
Baisya 24 5 87 1
Rafiqu/ 37 16 6-1 4
Enamnl 26 8 55 0
Ashraful 5 0 19 0
Ralph .1 n 75 n