Photo: Collected

DHAKA, April 20, 2025 (BSS) - Visiting Zimbabwe put them in commanding position on Day 1 of the first cricket Test, courtesy of Bangladesh's wayward batting that saw them all out for just 191 runs at Sylhet International Cricket Stadium today.

Zimbabwe, in reply, reached 67 for no loss, being unscathed entirely before the bad light brought a premature end to the game.

Brian Bennett was batting on 40 after hitting six fours in just 37 balls with Ben Curran on 17 as they dealt with Bangladesh's bowlers astutely to keep the side rolling. 
A familiar wayward batting show caused Bangladesh's downfall yet again. 

Mominul Haque top-scored for 56 and skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto made 40. Apart from them no other batters could stand tall against a side, which hasn't won any Test since 2021.

Almost all 10 batters of Bangladesh perished to lose shots, much to the frustration of the adorable fans and team management.

As Bangladesh opted to bat first, Mahmudul Hasan Joy and Shadman Islam began the innings watchfully but both of them failed to convert the start into big total.

Pacer Victor Nyauchu took both wickets to eventually finish with 2-74. He gave the side a breakthrough in the ninth over, dismissing Shadman for 12 and an over later took the wicket of Joy who made 14.

Shanto and Mominul then shared 66 runs for the third wicket but both of the them fell in the second session when Bangladesh experienced a sensational collapse, losing five wickets for only 48 runs. 

The second session was extended after a drizzle delayed the game for a while. The rain-break seemed to have distracted Bangladesh batters but Zimbabwe bowlers bowled in probing channel to make the task tougher for Bangladesh.

Fast bowler Blessing Muzurabani (3-50) and left-arm spinner Wellington Masakadza (3-21) picked up three wickets apiece to dismantle Bangladesh.

The rot began with Shanto slicing a wide delivery of Muzurabani straight to the point fielder after hitting six boundaries in his 69-ball knock. 

Left-arm spinner Wellington Masakadza then dealt a double strike, dismissing experienced Mominul and Mushfiqur Rahim in quick succession. Both of the batters perished to lose deliveries of Masakadza and picked out the mid-wicket fielder.

Mominul brought up his 22nd half-century in 100 balls but lasted for only five later before being dismissed. He smote eight fours and one six in 105 balls.

Mehidy Hasan Miraz's shortcoming against bouncer was again exposed when he gloved the ball back to the keeper after failing to move out of the way of Muzarabani's ferocious bouncer. 

Masakadza, then removed Taijul Islam who pushed a harmless delivery down the leg-side. 

Wessley Madhevere and Muzurabani cleaned up the tail with Jaker Ali Anik only one to make some resistance before falling to Madhevere for 28.

Madhevere ended with two after conceding just two runs in three overs.
Bangladesh bowlers began with an aim to take some early wickets to minimize the batting damage.

But Bennet charged Nahid Ran in emphatic fashion, hitting him two fours in the first over.
The pre-match talked revolved around Nahid as his captain Najmul Hossain publicly revealed Zimbabwe would get how extraordinary he is when they would face him in the match.

But Nahid failed to live up to his captain's word at least one Day 1. Zimbabwe openers negotiated his four overs comfortably, like they did against others to put the side in favourable position.