DHAKA, Nov 12: Persistent rain since Saturday night has forced match officials to declare the first Test between Bangladesh and Zimbabwe a draw.

Match referee Hanumant Singh called off the Test Monday, saying the rain made it impossible to complete the match.

The decision almost certainly averted a home side defeat.

Bangladesh, who were 125 for three in their second innings at the close of play on Saturday with Aminul Islam not out at six and Mohammad Ashraful yet to score, needed another 199 runs to make Zimbabwe, who scored 431 in their first innings, bat again.

Zimbabwe’s Australian coach Geoff Marsh said he was disappointed the rain had robbed them of a probable victory.

Zimbabwean captain Brian Murphy said: “It is really unfortunate that the rain came down as we were in a driving seat,” he told reporters Sunday.

The second and last Test of the series will begin in the south-eastern port city of Chittagong on Nov 15.—Reuters