Bangladesh back in the game

Bangladesh fights back on day two after Zimbabwe’s early domination in Sylhet Test

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Score Summary Bangladesh 1st Innings: 191 Zimbabwe 1st Innings: 273 in 80.2 overs Bangladesh 2nd Innings: 57/1 in 13 overs

Despite Zimbabwe’s dominance on the opening day of the Sylhet Test, Bangladesh bounced back strongly on the second day to bring the match back to life.

Under a gloomy, overcast morning sky, the pressure was on the pacers—and Nahid Rana rose to the occasion. Mixing pace and bounce with precision, he led the charge, soon joined by Hasan Mahmud and Syed Khaled Ahmed. Once the sun came out, Mehidy Hasan Miraz wrapped up the remaining five wickets of Zimbabwe.

Thanks to a collective bowling performance, Bangladesh managed to bowl Zimbabwe out, though not before conceding a lead. However, after a tough opening day with both bat and ball, the home side fought back admirably on Day Two.

Zimbabwe were eventually dismissed for 273, with crucial contributions from Brian Bennett, Sean Williams (both scoring fifties), as well as handy innings from Nyasha Mayavo and Richard Ngarava.

Trailing by 82 runs, Bangladesh ended the day at 57 for 1.

Things could’ve gotten worse for the hosts late in the day. Opener Mahmudul Hasan Joy was dropped twice—first by keeper Nyasha Mayavo and then in the slips—giving him lifelines on 6 and 18. Joy capitalized and ended the day unbeaten on 28, with Mominul Haque keeping him company on 15.

Mehidy Hasan Miraz was Bangladesh’s standout bowler in the first innings, taking five wickets for the 11th time in his Test career. But it was Nahid Rana who cracked the Zimbabwe batting early, picking up three wickets with raw pace and sharp bounce.

He started the day with a sharp bouncer to Ben Curran, who fended it to short leg where Mominul Haque took the catch.

Bennett, who looked solid on Day One, reached his fifty in just 56 balls but was eventually caught behind trying to play an expansive shot to a wide delivery from Nahid.

Hasan Mahmud, who had a shaky start, came back with a brilliant delivery to shatter Nicholas Welch’s off-stump. Just before lunch, Craig Ervine too nicked behind off a Nahid back-of-length delivery.

Bangladesh picked up 4 wickets for just 66 runs in the first session and were hopeful of preventing Zimbabwe from taking a big lead. However, Sean Williams, in great touch, stitched a 48-run stand with Wesley Madhevere, showing experience and composure.

That partnership was broken somewhat fortuitously, with Madhevere dragging a wide ball from Khaled Ahmed onto his stumps. Williams then threw his wicket away, attempting a six off Miraz but only managing to sky it to long-off, where Joy held on to a fine catch.

At that point, it seemed Bangladesh would restrict Zimbabwe from taking a significant lead. But Mayavo had other ideas, scoring a valuable 35 off 54 balls with 5 boundaries.

Later, Ngarava and Blessing Muzarabani added 36 runs for the ninth wicket to extend the lead further. Muzarabani chipped in with 17, including 2 fours and a six, while Ngarava remained unbeaten on a career-best 28.

With the second new ball, Miraz returned to complete his five-wicket haul by dismissing Victor Nyauchi in just his second delivery. The last time he achieved this feat at home was against India in December 2022.

In response, Bangladesh’s opening woes continued. Sadman Islam was caught in the slips for just 4 in the fourth over. Joy, however, had some luck on his side. He was dropped behind by Mayavo and survived another chance in the slips off Ngarava—though the latter was a difficult opportunity.

Zimbabwe’s fielding in the second innings was poor overall, with two missed catches and sloppy ground fielding. Joy and Mominul took full advantage, steadily building the innings. Joy had already smashed six boundaries in his 42-ball stay, while Mominul added three of his own on the way to 15*.