Sports Reporter :
Bangladesh Cricket team took the control in the lone Test match against touring Zimbabwe Cricket team making 240 for the loss of three wickets in the first innings on the second day at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in the city’s Mirpur on Sunday.
Earlier, Zimbabwe were all out for 265 on the second day.
Bangladesh had a shaky start as opener Saif Hasan (8) was caught behind by wicketkeeper Regis Chakabva off Victor Nyauchi when Bangladesh’s score was just 18.
Then Tamim Iqbal and Najmul Hossain Shanto salvaged their team from early debacle contributing together 78 runs for the second wicket partnership before Tamim Iqbal was caught behind by Regis Chakabva off Donald Tripano when the team’s total was 96 for the loss of two wickets.
Tamim Iqbal hit a polished 41. His 89-ball innings was belted with seven fours.
After Tamim’s dismissal, Najmul Hossain and Mominul Haque built another worthy partnership. They put on together 76 runs in the third wicket stand before Najmul Hossain was caught behind by Regis Chakabva off Charlton Tshuma when the hosts’ score was 172 for the loss of three wickets.
Shanto hit a calm 71. His 139-ball innings was studded with seven fours. It was Shanto’s maiden half-century in Test cricket. Shanto fulfilled his half-century playing 108 balls with six shots across the ropes.
After Shanto’s departure, Mominul Haque and Mushfiqur Rahim added together 68 runs for the unbroken fourth wicket partnership before the bails were drawn for the second day.
Mominul Haque remained unbeaten with 79. His 120-ball knock was decorated with nine fours. It was Mominul’s 14th half-century in Test cricket. Mominul reached the fifty-run land-mark using 78 balls with four fours.
Mushfiqur Rahim remained unbeaten with 32. He hit six fours in his 68-ball innings before the bails were drawn for the second day.
Tripano, Nyauchi, Tshuma got one wicket each conceding 40, 41 and 46 runs respectively.
Earlier, Zimbabwe resumed their first innings with the over-night score of 228 for the loss of six wickets.
Chakabha and Tripano resumed their first innings with the over-night score of nine and naught respectively.
Tripano could add just eight runs in his account as he was caught behind by wicketkeeper Liton Das off Abu Jayed when the visitors’ total was 240 runs for the loss of seven wickets.
Then Abu Jayed struck again as Ainsley Ndlovu was trapped leg before wicket by the pacer when Zimbabwe’s score was 244 for the loss of eight wickets.
After Ainsley’s removal, Charlton Tshuma (0) was trapped leg before wicket by left-arm spinner Taijul Islam when the visitor’s total was 245 for the loss of nine wickets.
Later, Chakabva (30) was caught at the mid-wicket by Nayeem Hasan off Taijul Islam when Zimbabwe’s innings came to an end.
Abu Jayed and Taijul Islam got success on the second day.
Abu Jayed captured four wickets at the cost of 71 runs, while Taijul Islam bagged two wickets instead of 90 runs.
