Bangladesh captain Habibul Bashar believed that complacency got the better of the Tigers after their dismal batting display in the second and final Test at the Bangabandhu National Stadium yesterday.

"Most of the players I think went into bat today with a rather relaxed mindset. Perhaps, they had yet to get over the historic Chittagong Test victory. But I think we have learned a valuable lesson that one cannot relax in the five-day game after just one victory," said Bashar.

Bangladesh won the first Test in the port city on January 10 by 226 runs to post their maiden success after four years and two months in the Test fraternity.
Whereas victory in Chittagong was built on a record first-innings total of 488, the home side suffered an all-too-familiar collapse by stumps on Day Two. Bangladesh slumped at 169-8 in reply to Zimbabwe's 298.
Though the home side trailed by 129 runs, Bashar was not prepared to believe the deficit could not be reduced. He pinned his hopes on the hitting ability of Mashrafee-Bin-Mortuza and Tapash Baisya.
Both tail-enders own career-best scores of 47 and 66 against Zimbabwe and New Zealand respectively.
"They have shown in the past that they can contribute runs when it is required. Although I know it will be difficult to play shots on this slow wicket, however once you get it will become easier to stay at the crease," said the country's premier batsman, who was bowled for 10.

While acknowledging the role of Zimbabwe's Douglas Hondo, who took 6-45, in Bangladesh's first-innings nightmare, Bashar felt that his batsmen were equally to blame.

"He (Hondo) used the conditions brilliantly and his early reverse-swing helped him to claim those wickets. But I must say the top order is responsible too for throwing their wickets. It was criminal of a batsman to get out after spending time at the wicket," he said.

The Bangladesh skipper praised the effort of an injured Mohammad Rafique. The popular southpaw, who was clearly affected the torn hamstring in Chittagong, made a brave 56 to salvage the Tigers from humiliation.

"It was a tremendous knock under the circumstances. But we are not sure whether Rafique, our main bowler, will be able to bowl in the second innings," adding the champion left-arm spinner's chances were now 50-50.

When asked whether Rafique was fit to play in this Test, Bashar agreed that he was not hundred per cent before the match but it was impossible for the think-tank to rest him even if was 80 per cent fit.

Zimbabwe captain Tatenda Taibu, who led his side from the front with a scintillating 85 not out, preferred to be cautious despite finishing the day with the upper hand.

"They (Bangladesh) can still come back hard at us on the third day that's why we have guard against complacency," he said.

The 21-year-old wicketkeeper-batsman, who missed a maiden Test hundred in Chittagong by eight runs, was pleased by the way his young team had controlled proceedings on the second day.

"So far, it has been the best day against Bangladesh on this tour. We are now in a strong position but we have to be more disciplined on the third day. Batting won't be easy as the wicket is deteriorating, " he added.