Zimbabwe dominate Tigers despite Miraz's five-for

Zimbabwe continued their domination over Bangladesh despite the five-wicket haul of off-spinner Mehidy Hasan Miraz on Day 2 of the first cricket Test at Sylhet International Cricket Stadium today.

Zimbabwe's upper-hand in the Test was further ensured when they took an 82-run first-innings lead after being bowled out for 273.

Bangladesh reached 57-1 at stumps, weathering the deficit to just 25 runs. Opener Mahmudul Hasan Joy was batting on 28, with Mominul Haque, who scored 56 in the side's first innings, on 15.

Bangladesh was bowled out for 191 in its first innings on Day 1. With his 11th five-wicket haul in Test cricket, Miraz minimized some of the damage as Zimbabwe looked to take the lead out of Bangladesh's reach.

Experienced batter Sean Williams (59) and opener Brian Bennet (57) played instrumental roles in helping Zimbabwe claim the lead, raising the prospect of their first Test victory since 2021.

Resuming the day on 67 for no loss, Zimbabwe faced the wrath of pacer Nahid Rana, who finished with figures of 3-74.

The pre-match talk had revolved around Nahid Rana, with Zimbabwe's Sean Williams making a cheeky comment about the young pacer's speed. In response, Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto said Zimbabwe would realize just how quick Nahid was once they faced him in the match.

On Day 1, Zimbabwe batters comfortably negotiated Rana's first four overs, but in just the second over of Day 2, Nahid broke through with his typically aggressive pace. He banged one in short with searing pace, and Ben Curran, unable to evade the extra bounce, fended it to short leg. Mominul Haque dived forward to take an excellent catch.

Curran was out for 18 after facing 55 balls. His fellow opener Brian Bennet, however, was comfortable in negotiating all kinds of questions the Bangladeshi bowlers threw at him. He brought up his maiden fifty off just 56 balls by driving Hasan Mahmud's back-of-length delivery past cover-point.

Nahid's extra bounce and pace did the trick, finding the outside edge of Bennet to end his promising knock when Jaker Ali Anik, behind the stumps, did the rest. Bennet's 60-ball knock included 10 boundaries.

Hasan Mahmud joined the party in the immediate next over by uprooting Nich Welch's (2) stump with an inswinger.

With Zimbabwe reduced to 88-3, Sean Williams and captain Craig Ervine steadied the innings, hinting at a potential comeback.

Nahid broke the threatening 41-run partnership in the penultimate over of the lunch session by inducing a faint outside edge to dismiss Ervine for 8. The on-field umpire had initially given not out, but Bangladesh overturned the decision with an excellent review.

Williams, who swept left-arm spinner Taijul Islam for a boundary to raise his fourth fifty from 87 balls, shared another little but significant partnership with Wessley Madhevere.

Pacer Khaled Ahmed got the better of Madhevere for 24 with a short ball, ending the 48-run partnership.

Mehidy Miraz, who was expensive in the whole morning session, readjusted his line and length to take the last five wickets of Zimbabwe.

He began with the big wicket of Williams, having him caught by Mahmudul Hasan Joy at long-off after Williams hit six fours and two sixes for his 59 off 108 balls. By then, Zimbabwe had gone past Bangladesh's total to take a two-run lead.

Nyasha Mayavo (35) and Richard Ngarava (28 not out) increased the lead, but Miraz struck at regular intervals.

Bangladesh's situation worsened further when fast bowler Blessing Muzurabani dismissed opener Shadman Islam (4), who poked a delivery to second slip with the scoreboard reading 13 in the fourth over.

Joy and Mominul saw off the day without further trouble, keeping Bangladesh on the right track to claw back into the game.