Match Summary — Bangladesh 291 for 7 (Shadman 120, Mushfiqur 40, Masekesa 3-44) lead Zimbabwe 227 (Williams 67, Welch 54, Taijul 6-60) by 64 runs
DEBUTANT Vincent Masekesa shone with the ball after claiming impressive figures of 3 wickets for 44 runs in his first 14 overs in international cricket to help Zimbabwe restrict hosts Bangladesh to 291/7 at stumps on Day Two in Chattogram.
But the day belonged to Bangladesh opener Shadman Islam who scored his second Test century with an assertive 120 from 181 balls as the hosts dominated the day’s play.
Bangladesh have a lead of 64 runs going into Day Three after they bowled the visitors out for 227 as they look to level the series following their 3-wicket loss in the first Test in Sylhet.
Masekesa is making his international bow and captured the wicket of Bangladeshi captain Najmul Shanto, his first wicket on the Test arena, caught by Nick Welch for 23.
Moments later, the 28-year-old spinner dismissed Jake Ali, caught and bowled after scoring just 5 runs before getting his final wicket of the day when Nayeem Hasan was caught by Sean Williams for 3.
After losing the toss and batting second, the hosts’ opening pair of Islam and Anamul Haque put together a 100 partnership before the latter departed for 39, trapped lbw by Blessing Muzarabani with the score on 118.
Islam and Mominul Haque added 77 runs as the hosts threatened to post a huge score before Mominul Haque was caught by Ben Curran for 33, leaving the hosts on 194 for 2.
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The next over, Shadman was trapped lbw by Brian Bennett after scoring 120 runs.
Bangladesh went for tea on 205 for 3 before the Masekesa show began in the final session of the day.
Masekesa dismissed Shanto, Ali and Hassan while the other wicket was a brilliant runout by Wessley Madhevere, catching Mishfiqur Rahim short of the ground after contributing 40 runs to the score.
Mehidy Mira (16) and Tajul Islam (5) were on the crease at the close of play.
Buoyed by their win in the first Test, Zimbabwe opted to bat first on the batting-friendly Chattogram track after a good start, which saw openers Bennett (21) and Curran (21) put up a 41-run stand. Welch scored his second Test half century with a composed 54 and put together a 90–run third wicket stand with Williams, who top scored with a patient 67 before the former retired hurt with the score on 262 for 2.
As they have done in the past, the Zimbabwe batting line-up capitulated, losing the last seven wickets for just 50 runs and eventually being bowled out for 227.
Leading 1-0 in the two-match series, the Chevrons are looking to end a 14-year Test series win drought since beating Bangladesh by 130 runs in a one-off test at Harare Sports Club in August 2011.
Since then, the team has managed just four draws and 19 defeats.
