SYLHET: Zimbabwe finished the first day of the first Test in a commanding position at 67-0 after an inspired bowling performance dismissed Bangladesh for 191 runs on Sunday.

The visitors’ opening pair of Brian Bennett, unbeaten on 40 off 37 balls, and Ben Curran (17) took the attack to Bangladesh’s bowlers in the 14.1 overs they faced before bad light stopped play.

Bangladesh skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto, who scored 40, earlier won the toss and opted to bat first on a pace-friendly wicket.

But his batters failed to capitalise on the decision and none of them, including top-scorer Mominul Haque (56) or Jakir Ali, who made 28, were able to turn good starts into decent Test scores.

The Zimbabwe attack bowled aggressive and disciplined lines, with paceman Blessing Muzarabani and left-arm orthodox Wellington Masakadza both taking three wickets each.

They were assisted by Victor Nyauchi and Wessley Madhevere, who shared the other four wickets.

Nyauchi set the tone for the visitors, sending back Bangladesh’s openers early in the first session with only 32 runs on the board.

Shadman Islam was the first to fall for 12 in the ninth over, with Nyauchi also removing Mahmudul Hasan Joy (14) in his next over.

A third-wicket partnership of 66 runs between Mominul and Najmul gave the home team’s score some respectability.

Bangladesh’s relatively inexperienced pace attack of Hasan Mahmud, Nahid Rana and Khalid Rana couldn’t find their lines against Bennett, who hit six fours.

Trailing only by 124 runs, Zimbabwe have a rare opportunity to set a formidable first innings total with the pitch expected to be better for the batters on the second day.

Bangladesh are ranked ninth and Zimbabwe are at the bottom of the 12-team ICC Test rankings after a disappointing year and both teams are hoping for a better start to the long season ahead.

The hosts have been formidable on the slow and spin-friendly home pitches but have several veterans missing.

The second and final Test of the series will be played in Chattogram from April 28.

SCOREBOARD

BANGLADESH (1st Innings):

Mahmudul Hasan c Mayavo b Nyauchi 14

Shadman Islam c Bennett b Nyauchi 12

Mominul Haque c Madhevere b Masakadza 56

Najmul Hossain c Madhevere b Muzarabani 40

Mushfiqur Rahim c Bennett b Masakadza 4

Jaker Ali c Curran b Madhevere 28

Mehidy Hasan c Mayavo b Muzarabani 1

Taijul Islam c Mayavo b Masakadza 3

Hasan Mahmud b Muzarabani 19

Khaled Ahmed not out 4

Nahid Rana b Madhevere 0

EXTRAS (B-3, LB-4, NB-3) 10

TOTAL (all out, 61 overs) 191

FALL OF WICKETS: 1-31 (Shadman), 2-32 (Mahmud), 3-98 (Najmul), 4-123 (Mushfiqur), 5-136 (Mominul), 6-137 (Mehidy), 7-146 (Taijul), 8-187 (Hasan), 9-191 (Jaker)

BOWLING: Ngarava 14-2-37-0, Muzarabani 19-4-50-3 (2nb), Nyauchi 15-2-74-2 (1nb), Madhevere 3-2-2-2, Masakadza 10-4-21-3

ZIMBABWE (1st Innings):

B. Bennett not out 40

B. Curran not out 17

EXTRAS (B-4, LB-5, NB-1) 10

TOTAL (for no wicket, 14.1 overs) 67

STILL TO BAT: N. Welch, S. Williams, C. Ervine, W. Madhevere, N. Mayavo, W. Masakadza, B. Muzarabani, R. Ngarava, V. Nyauchi

BOWLING: Hasan 5-2-16-0, Nahid 4.1-0-21-0 (1nb), Khaled 2-0-11-0, Mehidy 3-1-10-0

UMPIRES: Richard Illingworth (England) and Richard Kettleborough (England)

TV UMPIRE: Kumar Dharmasena (Sri Lanka)

MATCH REFEREE: David Boon (Australia)

Published in Dawn, April 21st, 2025