Records tumbled at the Shere Bangla National Stadium in Dhaka as Bangladesh continued their dominance over Zimbabwe in the one-off Test. Rahim became the highest scorer for Bangladesh in Test cricket, he also hit his third double hundred. Rahim’s thriving 203 supported Bangladesh declare on 560 for 6 with a first-innings lead of 295. By the time the stumps, the visitants were 9 for 2.
It became pretty evident early that Zimbabwe had a day full of toil ahead of them. After five quiet overs, Ainsley Ndlovu opened the floodgates as he leaked three boundaries in the 77th over. From there on, Zimbabwe bowled more than 20 consecutive overs without a maiden as both Rahim and Mominul Haque made merry. The pair scored 222 for the fourth wicket to pin the visitors on the mat.
Zimbabwe took the new ball as soon as it became available but the pacers lacked the consistency to trouble the Bangladesh pair. Easy runs were picked up at brisk pace as Bangladesh surged past 300. Mominul achieved his ninth Test hundred with a drive past mid-off. He stayed unbeaten on 119 at the end of the first session as Rahim raced to 99. The past skipper achieved his hundred in the first over after the break as Zimbabwe extended to toil.
The second session brought two wickets for Zimbabwe. Mominul drove one back to Ndlovu in the 11th over to fall for 132 while Mohammad Mithun fell seven overs later for 17. At 421 for 5, Bangladesh was comfortably placed with their lead already 156. That, however, wasn’t the end of misery for Zimbabwe. Liton Das struck a half-century and added 111 for the fifth wicket with Rahim.
The moment of the day came in the 154th over of the innings as Rahim cracked a boundary past the extra cover to complete his double ton. Bangladesh declared four balls later to give their bowlers time to take advantage of the tired Zimbabwe legs.
The move worked as Nayeem Hasan landed consecutive blows on the second and third ball to nip out Prince Masvaure and nightwatchman Donald Tiripano. With the side nevertheless trailing by 286, Bangladesh will favor their opportunities for early termination.
Brief scores: Zimbabwe 265 & 9/2 (Nayeem Hasan 2-4) trail Bangladesh 560/6 dec (Mushfiqur Rahim 203*, Mominul Haque 132) by 286 runs.
