Zimbabwe’s marks out of 10 following their disappointing series in Bangladesh
Devashish Fuloria17-Nov-20148Hamilton Masakadza and Brendan Taylor had vastly contrasting series•AFPHamilton Masakadza (356 runs, Avg 59.33)After hardly making a dent in the first Test, Hamilton Masakadza illustrated why Zimbabwe had pinned their hopes on him as he went on to score a career-best 158 and followed it up with two more half-centuries. With past experience of playing in Bangladesh, Hamilton was expected to be an important cog. He held one end together, and at times, was immovable. Additionally, he picked up three wickets with his part-time medium pace.Regis Chakabva (317 runs, Avg 63.40)Registered his maiden Test century during the Khulna Test. All through that innings, his quick footwork and range of shots helped him counter the spin threat. Frequently, he would use his feet to hit over the top or employ the sweep. The presence of Hamilton Masakadza perhaps helped him in pacing his innings and improved his confidence progressively. Playing on turning pitches for the first time, Chakabva was probably the biggest positive for Zimbabwe. He batted the most deliveries among the Zimbabwe players.Tinashe Panyangara (14 wickets)The lone seamer in the top five wicket-takers in the series, Panyangara announced himself with a ripper to Tamim Iqbal in the first Test. With the bounce in the pitch favouring his bowling, he went on to collect a five-wicket haul that put Zimbabwe in a position from which they could have controlled the Test. He played a support act in the second innings but was again crucial in keeping the match open. In less helpful conditions, Panyangara didn’t get the rewards but he remained disciplined.6Sikandar Raza (243 runs, Avg 40.50)Was comfortable against the Bangladesh spinners and registered three half-centuries, but he wasn’t able to convert them to bigger scores. His 51 in tough batting conditions in Dhaka was probably at par but Zimbabwe needed more from him in the next two Tests where batting was simpler. He picked up five wickets with his part-time offspin too.5Natsai M’Shangwe (7 wickets)Joined the team for the second Test. After a tough first innings during which he struggled to find the right length, he settled into a better rhythm in the second. Found more turn and bounce compared to Zimbabwe’s first-choice legspinner, Tafadzwa Kamungozi, and picked up four wickets in the second innings of the Khulna Test. Bowled the most overs in the series for Zimbabwe.4Elton Chigumbura (135 runs, 5 wickets)Another Zimbabwe player who had past experience of the conditions and was expected to play a role. Although he was impressive with the discipline in his bowling, he wasn’t able to pick up wickets. It was his batting skill that Zimbabwe needed, but unfortunately, his only innings of note came too late in the series.Malcolm Waller (6 wickets)Made regular strikes with his part-time offspin, including Shakib Al Hasan and Mushfiqur Rahim off consecutive deliveries in the second innings. But he was disappointing with the bat, scoring just 10 runs in two innings.Tendai Chatara (3 wickets)Played the first two Tests and created a lot of pressure by keeping one end tight. He was the most economical of all Zimbabwe bowlers but his failure to pick up wickets eventually forced Zimbabwe to drop him from the XI for the last Test.2Tinashe Panyangara wrecked Bangladesh with a five-for in Dhaka, but his team was unable to capitalise•AFPBrendan Taylor (135 runs, Average 27)The biggest disappointment for Zimbabwe. Taylor, along with Hamilton Masakadza, has been the best batsman for his team over the last few years and just like Hamilton, he was one of the few players with knowledge of the Bangladeshi conditions. He scored a fighting 45 not out in the second innings of the first Test when Zimbabwe’s batting crumbled around him, but as the conditions improved for batting, Taylor’s form waned.Craig Ervine (112 runs, Average 18.66)Did not do justice to his position as a middle-order batsman. Four times in the series, he was dismissed for less than 20 and his highest score was 34.1The restThe experienced Vusi Sibanda was dropped after his twin failures in Dhaka. The young Brian Chari replaced Sibanda but appeared raw for Test cricket. Zimbabwe’s first-choice spinners – John Nyumbu and Kamungozi – failed to take advantage of conditions on which Bangladeshi spinners ran through their side. Nyumbu also dropped crucial catches and lost his place in the team.
