Advantage Bangladesh as Zimbabwe bowlers toil

Bangladesh pressed the advantage of day 2 of the only Test against Zimbabwe, ending the second day 25 shy of the tourists in Dhaka.

Monimul Haque bats his way to 79* as Bangladesh take control PIC: ICC

Abu Jayed exploited the overhead conditions early on to leave Zimbabwe probably 50 runs short of where they wanted to be. They were 265 all out, Regis Chakabva making 30, as the only significant contribution late on.

Jayed was 4-71 while Nayeem Hasan returned 4-70. Taijul Islam got 2-90.

When Victor Nyauchi got the wicket of Saif Hasan, it looked like something was on. He was on 8 and Bangladesh on 18.

Successive partnership kept the runs ticking over, something the Zimbabweans were guilty of failing to do. Tamim Iqbal was out for 41 to Donald Tiripano, while debutant Charlton Tshuma got that of Najmul Hossain Shanto for 79. All wickets were caught by wicketkeeper Chakabva.

At the end of play captain, Monimul Haque was on 79 and Mushfiqur Rahim 32.

Bangladesh are 240/3 after 71 overs and eyeing a massive first-innings lead.

For Zimbabwe, the bowlers will need to be more consistent, particularly specialist spinner Ainsley Ndlovu who was guilty of landing it all over the place. He didn’t get most of the tap but you feel that if he has his smarts about him then something will happen.