Match Thread: Zimbabwe vs Bangladesh 2nd Test (2025)

[Kriterion_BD]

Ngarava needs to work on his fitness. He has lost about 10kph/hour of pace. I guess they are well protected domestically but he either needs a rest or to work on his fitness. The next few months are going to be brutal. I think Newman is bowling in the late 130s already. He might actually be more of a threat in this format sooner than most people realize.

Just from the naked eye I would have the pace order at

1- Chivanga
2- Matigimu, Newman
3- Blessing
4- Evans, Gwandu, Ngarava, Masuku, Chinouya
5- Larry, Nyauchi.
6- Faraz, Jongwe

Not too sure about Maphosa, Chataira and the rest. Ngarava is probably between the 4th and 5th tier at his current fitness levels

I remember the only time I saw Chivanga in front of a speed gun (can't remember if it was Tests or a white ball format) - he reached 145 and averaged around 140. But in his subsequent spells his pace dropped significantly down to the mid 130s or so.

Is Newman really that quick? Has he played in a series where there were speed guns? I feel like he's similar in pace to Ngarava...

Blessing at his quickest touches 140 on rare occaisions. This series he's got a few balls up to 139 but he's averaging around 133-134. And he's been at that pace pretty his entire career.

Ngarava does seem to have lost pace. He's got a couple balls in this series up to 136-137 but he's averaging 130 or even a tad lower than that.

[Googly]

Vinny doing well should be bitter sweat for Masakadza because he automatically takes his place. Great debut from him soo far. He really looked the part in that second spell and he was enjoying it too. Good cricket to watch that.

Who's to say what a couple of our other spinners would have been like if they'd had Wellie's exposure, but doesn't change the fact that he's our most economical spinner (I think?).
He's got pretty good control of line, length and pace.
Ainsley Ndlovu can feel hard done by that he hasn't had more exposure.

[Pat_Bee]

Specialist economy bowler

[Kriterion_BD]

Jaybro DM'd me a couple questions during the 1st Test that I didn't see until now.

He asked if BD chose a seaming wicket in Sylhet by being overconfident and if Chittagong would be a dustbowl as expected. My answers are that its very likely BD was overconfident and under-estimated the ZIM seam attack. I did myself. Even without Taskin and Ebadat, I thought we had plenty of pace firepower to win and to win easily. Made it close in the end, but the hole was a bit too deep to climb out of. In hindsight I would say it was still the right decision. We don't want to have to rely on a dustbowl or square turner to win at home against anyone. Even against Australia, if you make a square turner, you might draw the series 1-1 (as was the case in 2017), but what do you really gain from that? I can understand if there are WTC points at stake, but even then, does it really make a huge difference to just have a few more points or finish 7th place instead of 9th and sacrifice development? Most would say no. We finished 9th in the first two WTC cycles, and managed to get to 7th last time. Solid progress, but realistically thats about as high as we can go. There really isn't much gap/difference between finishing 5th and finishing 8th.

But by making a sporting track and struggling against Muzarabani, BD knows what they've got to work on. Apart from Shanto, all of the BD batters got out trying to defend against Muzarabani's bounce. But you wouldn't have realized that if both matches were played on dustbowls.

[Andy31]

Just caught some of the highlights of the final session.

Wes was lightening quick and great bit of fielding.
Vinnie be eyeing a 5fer on debut

[Kriterion_BD]

Tsiga dropps a fairly easy catch there. He's better than Mayavo or Madande (who set a world record), but that should still have been taken.

Bangladesh could get a lead of 120+ here...hopefully.

[Andy31]

And the rain starts.

Would have been a big first wicket to get early.

[Kriterion_BD]

T Sakib in...hoping he gets a maiden 50 on debut!

[Andy31]

T Sakib in...hoping he gets a maiden 50 on debut!

Would you have an up to date stream Kirterion?

Mine is just playing Bangladesh news.

[Kriterion_BD]

T Sakib in...hoping he gets a maiden 50 on debut!

Would you have an up to date stream Kirterion?

Mine is just playing Bangladesh news.

i'm using the BTV app and am seeing the same thing you are. Just gotta wait till the CA is done speaking I guess...