ASHLEY DUBE
Zimbabwe nosed ahead of Bangladesh after the second day’s play of the first Test in Sylhet, thanks to composed half-centuries from Brian Bennett and Sean Williams. Zimbabwe’s resilience showed through a spirited lower-order and tail-end fightback that added 80 crucial runs for the last four wickets, securing a vital 82-run lead. The day ended on a high for the visitors, breaking Bangladesh’s opening stand and keeping the hosts 25 runs behind.
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| Image: Zimbabwe Cricket |
While Mehidy Hasan Miraz provided Bangladesh some relief with his first five-wicket haul at home in over two years (5 for 52), Zimbabwe consistently wrestled back momentum. Speedster Nahid Rana chipped in with three wickets, including both openers, but Zimbabwe stitched together key partnerships after a solid 69-run opening stand.
Blessing Muzarabani delivered a beauty to remove Shadman Islam for 4 in the fourth over, caught at second slip. Mahmudul Hasan Joy survived an early chance on 6, when Nyasha Mayavo put down a straightforward catch, and he went on to finish the day unbeaten on 28 alongside Mominul Haque, who was on 15 when stumps were called.
Earlier, Rana broke Zimbabwe’s opening stand with a sharp bouncer that Ben Curran fended to short leg. Bennett, who was fluent on the off side, cracked ten boundaries – eight between backward point and cover – but perished for 57 attempting another cut.
Nick Welch was bowled for 2 by a Hasan Mahmud inswinger, and though Craig Ervine and Williams steadied the innings briefly, Rana’s short ball dismissed the skipper for 8. Williams, unfazed, put on 48 with Wessly Madhevere and reached his fourth Test fifty in emphatic style, sweeping Taijul Islam for a six and a four.
Madhevere fell for 24 playing on, and Williams was dismissed soon after for 59, looking set before miscuing a drive off Mehidy. Still, Zimbabwe kept pushing. Mayavo added a lively 35, Wellington Masakadza held firm with a gritty 6 off 42 balls, and the tail wagged admirably.
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