Mahmudullah, Mithun build lead after top-order collapses

Zimbabwe's seamers cut through Bangladesh's top order on the fourth morning in Dhaka, Kyle Jarvis and Donald Tiripano taking two apiece, before the hosts recovered through a 53-run stand between Mahmudullah and Mohammad Mithun. From 25 for 4, they reached lunch at 78 for 4 and espite the early wobble, Bangladesh's lead is already 296.

Bangladesh decided not to enforce the follow on, and the plan appeared to be to go for quick runs to extend the lead. That seemed the likeliest explanation for Imrul Kayes' early dismissal, cutting a rising delivery from Jarvis high in the air and straight to Brandon Mavuta at deep point.

Jarvis then removed Liton Das with the delivery of the Test match, pitching on middle and off and then nipping away past a defensive poke to kiss the top of off stump and remove the bails.

Mominul Haque nicked a flat-footed cut at Tiripano in the very next over, and at 10 for 3 Zimbabwe had Bangladesh cornered. The visitors are undoubtedly missing the injured Tendai Chatara's services with the ball, but the decision to bring Sean Williams on at this stage allowed the batsmen a little breathing room when Tiripano had bowled just three tight overs up front.

With the ball still new and hard, and considering the help seamers from both sides have found in the mornings during this Test, it was a defensive move.

In particular, it allowed Mithun to settle, and as soon as Tiripano was brought on again after drinks, he struck a second time to remove Mushfiqur Rahim, top-edging an aggressive pull. Zimbabwe had found the breakthrough, but their spinners once again proved ineffective, Mithun cutting and pulling Williams whenever he dropped short, and Mahmudullah jumping down the track to slam him straight down the ground for six.

Jarvis came back on just before the interval, but by now the track had settled and Mahmudullah threaded a drive through cover to bring up the fifty stand. With he and Mithun seeing out the last over without any drama, Bangladesh will come back in the afternoon in a position of relative strength despite losing four wickets in the first session.

Source: ESPNcricinfo