A batting collapse restricted Bangladesh from taking a formidable lead in the first innings of the Mirpur Test against Zimbabwe.
Bangladesh were all out for 254 on the second day at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium on Sunday.
At one stage, the hosts were struggling to touch Zimbabwe’s first innings total of 240 despite three promising half-centuries from Mominul Haque, Mahmudullah and captain Mushifiqur Rahim.
But the lower order helped take a lead of 14 runs.
Apart from the three, the others fell scoring less than 20.
In reply, Zimbabwe were 5 for 0 at stumps with Vusi Sibanda on 5 and Regis Chakabva yet to open his account.
Day Two saw Bangladesh losing opener Shamsur Rahman (8) in the third over bowled by Tinashe Panyangara.
Then Mominul Haque (53) and Mahmudullah, in at four, stitched a partnership of 63 in 154 balls for the fourth wicket before the left-hander ran himself out before lunch.
Shakib Al Hasan (5) departed after the break due to a misunderstanding with Mahmudullah. Four down at 114, the home side seemed uncomfortable.
The spinning all-rounder paired up with Mushfiqur to add another 64 to the score. But the recovery was broken by Sikandar Raza who trapped Mahmudullah (63) in front, made certain by the Decision Review System (DRS).
The DRS is being used in a series in Bangladesh for the first time and the visitors were the first to take advantage of it.
Shuvagata Hom Chowdhury (14) started strong but soon joined Mahmudullah in the pavilion, out to a catch at mid-on that reinvigorated the Zimbabwe camp.
After the second new ball was taken, Mushfiqur (64) became Panyangara’s third victim to put the hosts under more pressure.
Things started to look all too familiar when Shahadat Hossain, casually reaching for the crease, returned without scoring as Craig Ervine shattered the stumps with a direct throw from square leg.
Taijul Islam (19), in at eight, played a short yet crucial innings to help Bangladesh take the slender lead but the hosts lost momentum after his departure and were soon bowled out.
Panyangara was the pick of the bowlers for Zimbabwe with a haul of 5 for 59.
On the first day, Shakib decimated the Zimbabwe batting with 6 for 59 that restricted the tourists to 240.
Source: bdnews24
