Mominul, Mushfiqur centuries help Bangladesh recover on first day
The hosts ended the day on 303/5, as Mominul was eventually dismissed late on in the evening for a magnificent 161, while Mushfiqur remained unbeaten on 111. It was a stark contrast from the first Test, where Bangladesh recorded lowly team figures of 143 and 169, as they slipped to a crushing 151-run defeat.
What a day for Bangladesh!
— ICC (@ICC) November 11, 2018
After they were 26/3, Mominul Haque and Mushfiqur Rahim rescued them with superb centuries. Mushfiqur is still there at stumps, 111*, and Bangladesh are 303/5. How far will they get tomorrow?#BANvZIM SCORE ⬇️https://t.co/hDFNdAlz4s pic.twitter.com/mciuy8xN2P
The second Test looked as if it would yield a similar dose of good fortune for the Zimbabweans after they made a blistering start with the ball, but things quickly went south for the tourists once the two centurions hit their stride.
Kyle Jarvis (3/48) made early headway for the visitors, dismissing Imrul Kayes (0) and Liton Das (9) to pin the hosts back to 16/2, before Donald Tripano made matters worse, sending back Mohammad Mithun for a duck to leave Bangladesh flailing on 26/3.
What then ensued was an admirable show of stoicism from Mominul and Mushfiqur. This stoicism gradually morphed into a classy display of batsmanship, as both players worked their way in and found a wonderful rhythm, knocking their opponents to all parts and showcasing excellent synergy in the middle, notching a massive fourth-wicket partnership.
Mominul, the aggressor of the two, caused all sorts of problems for the tourists, prompting Hamilton Masakadza to utilise a seven-pronged bowling attack in a bid to break the mammoth-stand.
Eventually, deep into the evening session, Tendai Chatara managed to prize Mominul's wicket, the stroke-maker, who was dropped on 9, 25 and 120, chipping one to point and perishing for 161, his seventh Test ton.
Taijul Islam, the nightwatchman, then perished shortly after his arrival, the impressive Jarvis picking up his third scalp after forcing the left-hander to nick off. Bangladesh skipper Mahmudullah replaced him in the middle but did not face a ball, as the imperious Mushfiqur played out a maiden to see his side through to stumps on 303/5.
It was a hugely satisfying day for the hosts given their abysmal showing in the first Test, and they will be delighted to have seen their side recover from 26/3 to 292/4. They were aided by some below-par Zimbabwean bowling and fielding along the way, as the resolution from the batters sapped energy from the visitors.
That being said, the tourists will be buoyed by their two late wickets, and an early scalp on the second day would expose Bangladesh's tail.