Sports Reporter :
Bangladesh piled up a fighting 294 for the loss of eight wickets in their first innings against Zimbabwe, thanks to Mominul Haque, Liton Das and Mahmudullah Riyad, who contributed a heroic innings on the first day of the lone Test match at Harare Sports Club Ground in Zimbabwe on Wednesday.
Bangladesh had a painful start as opener Saif Hassan (0) was bowled out by Blessing Muzarabani when the score was just four.
One-down Najmul Hossain Shanto (2) was caught at the third slip by Dion Myers off Muzarabani when Bangladesh’s total was eight for the loss of two wickets.
After Shanto’s dismissal, Shadman Islam and Mominul Haque salvaged their team debacle contributing together 60 runs for the third wicket partnership before Shadman (23) was caught at the first slip by Brendan Taylor off Richard Ngarava when the visitors’ score was 68 for the loss of three wickets.
After Shadman’s departure, Mushfiqur Rahim and Mominul Haque added together 38 runs in the fourth wicket stand before Mushfiqur (11) was trapped leg before wicket by Muzarabani when Bangladesh’s total was 106 for the loss of four wickets.
Fourth-down Shakib Al Hasan (3) was caught behind by wicketkeeper Regis Chakabva off Victor Nyauchi when the touring side’s score was 109 for the loss of five wickets.
After Shakib’s dismissal, Mominul Haque was caught at the gully by Diyon Myers off Victor Nyauchi when Bangladesh’s total was 132 for the loss of six wickets.
Mominul Haque hit a captain’s knock of 70. His 92-ball innings was studded with 13 fours. It was Mominul’s 14th Test half-century. Mominul reached the 50-run landmark utilizing 60 deliveries with 10 fours.
After departure of Mominul Haque, Liton Das and Mahmudullah Riyad repaired the damage adding together 138 runs for the seventh wicket partnership before Liton Das was caught at the fine leg by Nyauchi off Donald Tiripano when the tourists’ score was 270 for the loss of seven wickets.
Liton Das was deprived of a century for just five runs. He was a victim of nervous ninety.
Liton hit a painstaking 95 from 147 deliveries. He struck 13 fours in his 200-minute knock. It was Liton’s 9th half-century in Test cricket.
After Liton’s heroic knock, Mehidy Hasan Miraz came at the crease, but he stayed on the pitch for a short period as he was trapped leg before wicket by Tiripano for naught.
Mahmudullah Riyad remained unbeaten with 54. He hit five fours in his 141-ball innings. It was Riyad’s 17th half-century in his Test career.
Taskin Ahmed remained unbeaten with 13.
Muzarabani captured three wickets at the cost of 48 runs, while Tiripano and Nyauchi bagged two wickets each instead of 36 and 69 runs respectively.
Besides, Ngrava took one wicket for 36 runs.
