Bangladesh looked set for a big first-innings total, but a late collapse—losing 4 wickets for just 20 runs—ruined what had been a solid day of Test cricket.
Mushfiqur Rahim’s dismissal was symbolic of the slide. After playing a full-length delivery from Vincent Masakesa to mid-on, he dashed for a risky single. Sensing danger, the veteran batter went for a full-stretch dive, but it wasn’t enough. Wesley Madhevere’s direct hit shattered the stumps and ended Mushfiq’s innings. He left the field with his head down.
Just a short while earlier, Mushfiq had been batting fluently, hinting at a return to form. The 39-year-old looked poised to end a long drought but perished on 40—an avoidable run-out cutting short what could’ve been a vital knock. In fact, that moment summed up Bangladesh’s entire day: promising starts thrown away, chances missed.
Still, not all was gloomy. Opener Shadman Islam stood tall amid the collapse. Returning to the Test side after nearly four years, the left-hander notched up a fine century, playing a crucial role in giving Bangladesh the lead. But despite his best efforts, the home side slipped from a position of strength—ending Day 2 with frustration after losing key wickets in the final session.
At stumps on the second day of the Chittagong Test, Bangladesh reached 291 for 7, leading Zimbabwe by 64 runs. Earlier, Nazmul Hossain Shanto’s side bowled out Zimbabwe for 227, with Taijul Islam picking up six wickets.
The day started perfectly for Bangladesh as Taijul claimed the final Zimbabwe wicket with the very first ball. Then came a strong 119-run opening stand between Shadman and Anamul Haque, building hope for a commanding score. But once that partnership was broken, wickets began tumbling at regular intervals.
Shadman’s last Test century came in 2021—also against Zimbabwe. This time, he made his career-best 120 off 181 balls, striking 16 fours and a six, registering the most boundaries in an innings across his 22-match career.
Earlier in the day, Taijul wrapped up Zimbabwe’s innings by dismissing Blessing Muzarabani and finishing with figures of 6 for 60. Then, the Bangladesh openers began steadily. Anamul, playing a Test after three years, looked shaky at first—even taking a blow to the helmet in just the second over. But he slowly settled in.
Shadman was more fluent from the outset, punishing Zimbabwe’s lackluster bowling. He brought up his fifty off 78 balls and went into lunch unbeaten on 66. Anamul supported well, scoring 38 before the break—his highest in his last five Tests.
The 119-run opening stand was Bangladesh’s first century stand in Tests in over two and a half years. The last came in Chittagong in 2022, when Shanto and Zakir Hasan added 124 against India.
Anamul couldn’t surpass that previous mark, though. Early in the second session, he was trapped LBW by Muzarabani for 39. The ball struck his back pad, and the umpire had no hesitation.
After his dismissal, Shadman continued alongside Mominul Haque. He reached his hundred off 142 balls and celebrated with a six—the only one in his knock—off Brian Bennett. It was his first Test ton in 26 innings.
Mominul, however, gave his wicket away trying a slog-sweep against Wellington Masakadza, ending his innings at 33. The second-wicket partnership was broken at 76.
Soon after, Shadman fell LBW to Bennett. Though he took a review, replays showed the ball barely clipping the leg stump—enough to uphold the on-field decision.
Bangladesh went to tea at 205 for 3. But everything changed in the final session, thanks largely to debutant leg-spinner Vincent Masakesa, who picked up three wickets. The fourth dismissal came via that costly run-out of Mushfiqur.
Mushfiq had looked composed, hitting 4 fours and a six in his 59-ball 40. But once again, he fell short of a fifty—a drought that now stretches 13 innings.
Shanto and Mushfiq had taken the team past Zimbabwe’s total, but Shanto threw away his wicket with a soft catch to short mid-wicket. Shortly after, wicketkeeper Zakir Ali offered a return catch to Masakesa, continuing the slide.
Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Nayeem Hasan tried to stabilize things, but Nayeem fell to Masakesa, caught at slip.
Miraz and Taijul Islam managed to survive the final four overs of the day without further damage.
Brief Scores
- Zimbabwe 1st Innings: 227 in 90.1 overs (Siga 18*, Muzarabani 2; Taijul 6-60)
- Bangladesh 1st Innings: 291/7 in 87 overs (Shadman 120, Mushfiqur 40, Anamul 39; Masakesa 3-44, Bennett 1-49, Muzarabani 1-44)
