November 18, 2001	Sunday	Ramazan 2, 1422

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CHITTAGONG (Bangladesh), Nov 17: Bangladesh were forced to follow on despite a maiden Test century from Habibul Bashar in the second Test against Zimbabwe Saturday.

The home side, dismissed for 251 in reply to Zimbabwe’s 542 for seven declared, closed the third day on 15 without loss, still needing another 276 to avoid an innings defeat.

The 29-year-old Bashar, Bangladesh’s most successful batsman who hit his fifth Test half-century in five Tests in the first encounter in Dhaka, made 108 before before being bowled by occasional left-arm spinner Grant Flower. Only one other batsman got beyond 30.

Flower, indeed, was the chief architect of the Bangladesh collapse after they had moved on to 135 for two, taking four for 43 after being brought on as a sixth bowler.

Flower also removed Mohammad Ashraful (33), Khaled Masud and Mohammad Sharif.

Douglas Marillier took two for 39, including the wicket of Aminul Islam, who captained Bangladesh in their first World Cup. He was caught and bowled for 21.

The first match of the two-Test series was washed out in Dhaka with Zimbabwe in total control of the game. A three-match one-day series follows the Test series.