A dominant bowling performance and a confident start with the bat propelled Zimbabwe into a commanding position at the end of the first day of the opening Test against Bangladesh, after the hosts collapsed for 191 runs in Dhaka on Sunday.
Zimbabwe’s new-ball bowlers struck early and often, dismantling Bangladesh’s top order before their openers Brian Bennett and Ben Curran replied assertively to reach 67 without loss before bad light halted play.
From Dhaka, Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto won the toss and elected to bat on a surface that offered assistance to the pace bowlers. Despite scoring 40 runs, Shanto and his fellow batters failed to convert starts into significant innings.
Only former captain Mominul Haque, who top-scored with 56, showed some resistance, while Jakir Ali added 28. The home side’s innings faltered under the pressure applied by Zimbabwe's disciplined seam attack.
Zimbabwe paceman Blessing Muzarabani and left-arm spinner Wellington Masakadza claimed three wickets apiece. They were well supported by seamers Victor Nyauchi and Wessley Madhevere, who shared the remaining four wickets.
Nyauchi provided the initial breakthroughs by dismissing both Bangladesh openers inside the first nine overs. He removed Shadman Islam for 12 and Mahmudul Hasan Joy for 14 with the score on just 32.
A 66-run partnership between Haque and Shanto offered Bangladesh brief respite, but the middle and lower order faltered under consistent pressure.
In reply, Zimbabwe’s openers laid a solid foundation. Bennett remained unbeaten on 40 off just 37 deliveries, striking six boundaries, while Curran contributed 17 runs in their unbroken stand across 14.1 overs.
Bangladesh’s inexperienced pace attack—comprising Hasan Mahmud, Nahid Rana and Khalid Rana—failed to challenge the visiting batters under fading light.
Trailing by 124 runs, Zimbabwe eyed a strong first-innings total on a pitch expected to improve for batting on the second day.
Bangladesh, ranked ninth in the ICC Test standings, entered the contest without several key players, while Zimbabwe sat at the bottom of the 12-team rankings.
The second and final Test of the series has been scheduled to begin in Chattogram from 28 April.
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