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Published : 22 Apr 2025, 10:43 AM
Bangladesh skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto has pushed the Bangladesh second-innings lead past 100 runs with a fine half-century on a rain-reduced third day of the opening Test against Zimbabwe.
The Tigers were 194 for 4, leading by 112 runs, with Shanto (60) and Jaker Ali (21) leading the charge before bad light ended play early at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium on Tuesday.
Despite taking only three wickets in the day, Zimbabwe bowlers caused a lot of discomfort for the Bangladeshi batsmen through the first two sessions, frequently beating them and often inducing edges.
But Shanto looked to be in good touch, lacing his 103-ball knock with 7 fine boundaries, and looking set in another stabilising stand, contributing a steady 39 with Jaker as Zimbabwe rued dropping a regulation catch off the Bangladesh captain on 26.
Zimbabwe had cropped out two Bangladesh wickets in quick succession to head into the tea break confident while the hosts eyed recovery in the last session.
Bangladesh appeared to be in command when Shanto and Mominul Haque (47) stitched 65 runs for the third wicket.
But as it has been so frequent in this Test, fast bowler Victor Nyauchi (1-28) went past the outside edge of the batsmen multiple times before nipping one away to kiss the shoulder of Mominul’s bat to wicketkeeper Nyasha Mayavo.
In another deja vu moment, Mushfiqur (4) fell to the same Zimbabwean short-ball trick as he failed to negotiate a steep bounce from Blessing Muzarabani (3-51) to leave the Tigers struggling on 155-4 at the stroke of tea.
Earlier, Bangladesh took the lead against Zimbabwe in their second innings after losing Mahmudul Hasan Joy (33) as play resumed after overnight rain had washed out the entire first session.
After struggling against short balls for some time in a 60-run second-wicket stand with Mominul, Joy ended up gloving a quick bouncer from Muzarabani to first slip.
Bangladesh batsmen have shown signs of vulnerability against not just short balls but also late swing, frequently edging deliveries, which do them no favour in terms of gaining confidence.
The hosts resumed on 57 for 1 after a five-wicket haul from Mehidy Hasan Miraz kept Zimbabwe from racking up an imposing lead. Sean Williams (59) and Brian Bennett (57) had earlier guided the visitors to a competitive 273.
