Zim fold for 241
Despite having lost a wicket towards the end of the first day of the three-day practice match at Fatullah yesterday, the day belonged to the Bangladesh Cricket Board XI as they managed to bundle the Zimbabweans out for 241 runs in 76.2 overs. In reply the hosts lost the wicket of Shadman Islam and reached stumps on 11 for 1.
Pacer Mehedi Hasan Rana and skipper Naeem Islam took two wickets each while Robiul Islam and Shubashish Roy took a scalp each. The rest of the wickets were taken by part-time bowlers Shamsur Rahman, Marshall Ayub, Asif Ahmed and Taiabur Parvez.
The day began with Robiul, who will be missing out on the first Test against Zimbabwe, bowling Vusi Sibanda in the third over.
However, Zimbabwe came back courtesy of a half-century stand between Brian Chari and Sikandar Raza. They were comfortably poised at 71-1 when they resumed after lunch. However, Mehedi upped the tempo by removing opener Brian Chari. Chari's wicket proved to be a key factor as it broke the 63-run stand. Mehedi's pace surprised Chari and compelled him to edge it the slip cordon.
After removing Chari, Mehedi also removed Raza with a similar outswinger which led to the player getting caught behind.
Shubhashish got the next most important wicket as he removed Zimbabwean Test captain Brendon Taylor with a slow bouncer, which was caught by third slip.
Towards the last session of the day Zimbabwe were struggling at 187 for 8. It was then that middle order batsman Elton Chigumbura attempted to counter the pressure with an aggressive knock. He hit five fours in his 39. He was however, trapped in front by Asif Ahmed.
Chigumbura said that he is happy with the first day despite failing as they are trying to adapt to the condition as well as try new things ahead of the Test series.
A 33-run stand for the eleventh wicket between brothers Wellington and Shingi Masakadza helped Zimbabwe cross the 240-mark.
'We knew they would try to get the home advantage and we prepared back home,' said Chigumbura.
Though we did not bat well still there are positives as players took the opportunity to get them adapted to the condition,' he said.
SCORES IN BRIEF
ZIMBABWE: 241 all out in 76.2 overs (Raza 44, Chigumbura 39; Mehdi 2-22, Naeem 2-53)
BCB XI: 11 for 1 (Rony 7 not out; Chigumbura 1 -4)
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