Dhaka Test: Mominul hits fifty as Bangladesh trail by 25 runs

Bangladesh are trailing by 25 with runs with seven wickets in hand at the end of day two of the ongoing one-off Test against Zimbabwe at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium on Sunday, reports UNB.

At the end of day two, Bangladesh were batting at 240 for three in 71 overs as Mushfiqur Rahim (32)  and Mominul Haque (79) remained unbeaten.

Zimbabwe won the toss and opted to bat first. Riding on the ton of Craig Ervine, they posted 265 runs. Nayeem Hasan and Abu Jayed Rahi took four wickets each for the Tigers.

In reply, Bangladesh posted only 18 runs in the first wicket stand as Saif Hassan failed to impress once again. He scored only eight this time before falling prey to Victor Nyauchi. The ball was outside off-stump, Saif went to drive but failed to connect the ball properly. Regis Chakabva took an easy catch to remove him.

In the second wicket stand, Najmul Hossain Shanto, who hit a double ton in his last appearance in a First-class match in Bangladesh Cricket League, and Tamim Iqbal posted 78 runs.

The partnership looked to create immense trouble for the tourists until Tamim fell prey to Donald Tiripano for 41. Tamim also prodded a catch to the wicketkeeper. His dismissal came as a big blow for the Tigers.

However, Shanto and captain Mominul Haque managed the pressure with great care. With some beautiful strokes, Shanto completed his maiden fifty in international cricket. But the southpaw failed to continue on the good run. He made the same mistake that was the reason behind the departure of Saif and Tamim.

Debutant Charlton Tshuma delivered outside off stump and Shanto went to clear it through the cover area, but only managed a thick edge to the wicketkeeper. And with this, Bangladesh lost four wickets for 172 in 49.4 overs.

Mominul and Mushfiqur Rahim ended day two without any more damage adding 68 runs in the fourth wicket stand. Mominul and Mushfiqur remained unbeaten for 79 off 120 balls with nine fours and 32 off 68 with six fours respectively.

Donald Tiripano, Victor Nyauchi and Charlton Tshuma bagged one wicket each conceding 40, 41, and 46 runs respectively.

Earlier, Zimbabwe were bowled out for 265 in 106.3 overs with the highest score of 107 off 227 balls with 13 fours by captain Craig Ervine, and opener Prince Masvaure was the second-highest hitting 64.

Nayeem Hasan and Abu Jayed Rahi were the best bowlers for the Tigers taking four wickets each conceding 71 and 70 runs respectively. Taijul Islam scalped two wickets conceidng 90 runs in 27.3 overs.

Brief score: Zimbabwe 1st innings: 265/10 in 106.3 overs, Ervine 106, Prince 64, Regis 30, Nayeem 4/70, Rahi 4/71, Taijul 2/90

Bangladesh 1st innings: 240/3 in 71 overs, Mominul 79*, Shanto 71, Tamim 41, Tiripano 1/40, Victor 1/41, Charlton 1/46