Zim, Bangladesh Test Balanced

By The Herald Reporter - ZIMBABWE seized the initiative from Bangladesh after play on the second day of the first Test in Sylhet yesterday through half-centuries from Brian Bennett and Sean Williams.

Their lower order and tail also batted with determination to add 80 runs for the last four wickets that gave them a lead of 82. They wrapped up the day by breaking up Bangladesh's opening stand, and the hosts are yet to catch up by 25 runs.

Bangladesh's consolation came in the form of Mehidy Hasan Miraz's home debut five-wicket haul in nearly two-and-a-half years. He finished with 5 for 52 after pace bowler Nahid Rana claimed three wickets, including the opening batsmen. Zimbabwe pieced together small stands after the opening stand of 69, often taking control of periods of play.

Bangladesh lost Shadman Islam in the late evening for 4 in the fourth over, when a nice Blessing Muzarabani ball had him edging to second slip. His opening colleague Mahmudul Hasan Joy got a life on 6 in the following over when wicketkeeper Nyasha Mayavo dropped a simple one to his right.

Mahmudul finished the day unbeaten on 28, while Mominul Haque was on 15 when play was called off at 5.33pm.

Rana earlier gave Bangladesh their first breakthrough when he banged in a bouncer towards Ben Curran’s chest. The left-hand opener only managed to tap it to short leg where Mominul completed the catch diving forward. It ended Zimbabwe’s impressive opening stand that lasted 16.5 overs.

Rana then bowled a more complete ball to get rid of Bennett, the second opener. Bennett was cutting the off-side field consistently, and he got eight out of his ten boundaries between backward point and cover. But when he tried cutting another ball square, that was his end, as he edged one behind on 57.

Hasan Mahmud finished off the act with peach of an inswinger to No. 3 Nick Welch, who was bowled through the gate for 2.

Captain Craig Ervine and Williams, Zimbabwe’s most experienced pair, steadied things for the next hour. They added 41 runs in 15 overs, before Rana had Ervine caught behind for 8. It was another short ball that reared up high on Ervine, who couldn’t get his bat out of the way. The ball brushed the face of his bat and he was caught behind by Jaker Ali.

Williams was part of another promising opening partnership, this time with Wessly Madhevere, during which Williams scored his fourth Test half-century. He did it in style too, swiping Taijul Islam over the boundary for a four and a six to get to the milestone.

The 48-run partnership however was cut short when Madhevere played on to a Khaled Ahmed delivery, on 24. Williams also could not continue, losing his bat on a straight shot against Mehidy, taken by a diving Mahmudul coming in from mid-off. Williams went down on his knees in disbelief as he was going very well himself, having made 59 off 108 with the help of six fours and two sixes.

Despite having all their frontline batsmen in the pavilion, Zimbabwe continued to struggle. Mayavo made an enterprising 35 off 54 balls, with five fours, but was dismissed shortly after tea when Mehidy had him lbw. Wellington Masakadza received 42 balls for his 6, and became Mehidy's third wicket, caught at cover.

The tall pair of Muzarabani and Richard Ngarava then went after the Bangladesh bowlers in a 36-run ninth-wicket stand. Muzarabani struck two fours and a massive six over long-on in his 17 off 16. Ngarava was 28 off 44 balls not out, hitting a lovely straight hit for a six off Mehidy.

The offspin sealed his fate when he got Muzarabani stumped and Victor Nyauchi caught behind the covers, to complete his five-for. The Herald