DHAKA, April 29, 2025 (BSS)—Opener Shadman Islam lamented Bangladesh’s batting slump in the last session on Day 2 of the second and final cricket Test against Zimbabwe, saying that they could have been in complete control of the game had they not lost wickets in flurry.

“We lost wickets in a flurry. If we had not lost those wickets, we would have been in a lead of more than 100 runs,” Shadman said after the Day’s play. “Still we were in a good position, but not as per our expectation.”

Shadman hit his second Test ton, a brilliant 120-run knock that gave Bangladesh a platform to savour. 

When Sadman got out, the scoreboard read 194-3. From there, Bangladesh reached 259-3, thanks to Mominul Haque and Najmul Hossain Shanto. 

However, leg-spinner Vincent Masekesa triggered a collapse and the run-out of Mushfiqur Rahim forced Bangladesh end with 291-7. 

Sadman played with positive intent from the beginning today. His strike rate of 66.29 was the testament of his intent and more importantly among the innings in which he scored at least 25 runs in Tests, it was his highest strike rate.

Sadman said he played as per the situation, 'I do not bat with such (intent). Of course, I try to hit boundaries when the opportunity comes.”

I tried to play according to the merit of the balls, he said. 

Thanks to Sadman and Anamul Haque Bijoy, Bangladesh finally saw their opening partnership reach 100 runs in Tests after 33 innings and 28 months. Playing his first Test in three years, Bijoy scored 39 runs.

“He (Bijoy) is a very experienced, senior player. We have seen that he always scored runs. The way he started today, he was in very good shape, he was doing well. But unfortunately he got out,” Shadman said.

Sadman said that Bangladesh still wants to add more than 100 runs to throw Zimbabwe out of the match.

“We have Miraz and Taijul in the crease and if they form a good partnership, it will be good for us. Hopefully, if we have a good partnership, we will be very ahead.”