Bangladesh – 191 and 194-4 in 57 overs (Najmul Hossain Shanto 60*, Mominul Haque 47, Mahmudul Hasan Joy 33; Blessing Muzarabani 3/51, Victor Nyauchi 1/28)
Zimbabwe – 273 all out in 80.2 overs (Sean Williams 59, Brian Bennett 57, Nyasha Mayavo 35; Mehidy Hasan Miraz 5/52, Nahid Rana 3/74, Khaled Ahmed 1/30)
Day 3 – Stumps: Bangladesh lead by 112 runs
Despite some fine, hostile bowling from Blessing Muzarabani, Bangladesh made steady progress on a rain-curtailed third day of the first Test against Zimbabwe in Sylhet on Tuesday.
At stumps, the hosts had reached 194 for four in their second innings, holding a lead of 112 runs, with captain Najmul Hossain Shanto anchoring the innings with a composed, unbeaten 60.
Resuming on 57 for one and still trailing Zimbabwe by 82 runs, Bangladesh were made to wait as morning rain delayed the start until after lunch.
When play eventually began, Muzarabani struck early in a fiery opening spell, removing Mahmudul Hasan Joy for 33 with a sharp short ball that the batter gloved to Craig Ervine at first slip.
The dismissal, with the score on 73, brought Shanto to the crease to join Mominul Haque.
The pair batted fluently, adding 65 runs in just 15 overs during a crucial third-wicket partnership.
Zimbabwe missed a golden opportunity when Shanto, on 26, survived a chance behind the stumps.
Mominul, however, wasn’t as fortunate.
He edged Victor Nyauchi to wicketkeeper Nyasha Mayavo and departed for 47, with the score on 138 for three.
Muzarabani returned for another telling intervention just before tea, removing Mushfiqur Rahim for four as Ervine claimed his second catch of the innings in the slips.
The final session was shortened by bad light, but Bangladesh’s batters dug in.
Shanto and his new partner, Jaker Ali, calmly negotiated the closing overs, adding a valuable 39-run stand for the fifth wicket to keep their side firmly in the contest.
