Sports Reporter :Prolific all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan’s six-wicket haul powered Bangladesh to bundle out Zimbabwe for a modest 240 in the first innings on the first day of the first Test at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur on Saturday.In reply, Bangladesh were on 27 for the loss of one wicket before the two umpires drew the bails for the first day.Shakib Al Hasan totally dominated over the Zimbabwean batsmen and finished as 24.5-5-59-6.Zimbabwe had a shaky start as the tourists lost their early two wickets for 31 runs. Opener Vusi Sibanda was caught behind by Mushfiqur Rahim off pacer Shahadat Hossain when the visitors total was just six runs.Then Shakib Al Hasan struck as Hamilton Masakadza was caught at the mid-off by Jubair Hossain off Shakib Al Hasan when Zimbabwe’s score was 31 for the loss of two wickets.Later, Sikandar Raza and Brendan Taylor repaired the early damage adding together 53 runs in the second wicket stand before debutante Jubair Hossain picked up his first Test wicket. It was Brendan Taylor who was caught at the mid-off by Taijul Islam off Jubair Hossain when the tourists total was 83 for the loss of three wickets.After dismissal of Brendan Taylor, Sikandar Raza and Elton Chigumbura built another notable partnership. Raza and Chigumbura contributed 45 runs for the fourth wicket partnership before Sikandar Raza was caught at the short cover by Mahmudullah Riyad off Jubair Hossain when Zimbabwe’s score was 128 for the loss of four wickets. Raza knocked a sedate 51 from 122 balls. His 185-minute innings was studded with six fours.After removal of Raza, Zimbabwe batsmen failed to make any notable partnership.Elton Chigumbura was caught at the silly point by Mominul Haque off Shakib Al Hasan when the visitors total was 142 for the loss of five wickets.Then CR Ervine was caught at the short leg by Mominul Haque off Taijul Islam when Zimbabwe’s score was 192 for the loss of six wickets.After dismissal of Ervine, RW Chakabva was caught at the slip by Shamsur Rahman off Shakib Al Hasan when the tourists total was 200 for the loss of seven wickets.Then J Nyumbu was trapped leg before wicket by left-arm spinner Shakib Al Hasan when Zimbabwe’s score was 221 for the loss of eight wickets.After removal of Nyumbu, T Panyangara was caught at the deep backward square leg by substitute Marshall Ayub off Shakib Al Hasan when the tourists total was 230 for the loss of nine wickets. With the wicket of Panyangara, Shakib Al Hasan fulfilled his five-wicket haul.Then T Kamungozi was caught at the short square leg by Shamsur Rahman off Shakib Al Hasan when the African’s were all out for 240.Ervine, Chigumbura, Taylor, Chakabva added 34, 29, 28 and 25 runs respectively to the Zimbabwe total.Debutante Jubair Hossain bagged two wickets for 58 runs while Taijul Islam and Shahadat Hossain took one wicket apiece.Later, Bangladesh made a sorrow start as Tamim Iqbal, the dependable opener was caught by Masakadza off Panyangara when Bangladesh’s score was 10 for the loss of one wicket.Shamsur Rahman and Mominul Haque were on eight and 14 runs before the bails were drawn for the first day.
