Chance for Zimbabwe to build on positives

Cricket

Chance for Zimbabwe to build on positives

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Bangladesh finally arrived in Zimbabwe, a couple of weeks later than they should have.

19 August,2011 11:11 am

After being outplayed in the only Test and the first two ODIs, they showed a bit of tenacity with a competitive - but not match-winning - performance in the third one-dayer. It came too late, as a devastated Shakib Al Hasan said, but it was something worth taking heart from and bodes well for the remaining two matches, which take place at a different venue.For the first time on the tour, the cricket moves to Bulawayo. And while the series as a whole is dead - Zimbabwe are 3-0 up - the smaller contests have come to life. A tight chase, a well-paced century and a wonderful spell of death bowling brought the third match alive, and cricket lovers will hope it continues to be a close contest in Bulawayo.Even though Bangladesh didnt win, the fact that they put on an impressive performance in the first half of Zimbabwes innings, formed partnerships and eventually came within one shot of completing a tricky chase, was promising. Bangladesh will not want go home winless. For Zimbabwe, a whitewash will carry them to within two points of Bangladesh in the ODI rankings, and they could use the next two matches as a learning curve.In fact, they began doing so in the previous match, when they were given a different test - being asked to bat first. The Zimbabwe bowlers were presented with a new challenge, that of defending a total, and though it seemed that the match was slipping from their hands, an accurate performance topped by Kyle Jarvis yorkers at the end, showed they could cope. They will be keen to prove they can do so consistently.