Masakadza Hits Fifty After Bangladesh Strike

Hamilton Masakadza completed his fifty after spinner Taijul Islam struck twice as Bangladesh and Zimbabwe shared the honours in the opening session of the first Test of the two-match series in Sylhet on Saturday.

Sylhet, Bangladesh, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 3rd Nov, 2018 ) :Hamilton Masakadza completed his fifty after spinner Taijul islam struck twice as Bangladesh and Zimbabwe shared the honours in the opening session of the first Test of the two-match series in Sylhet on Saturday.

Zimbabwe reached 85-2 at the break with skipper Masakadza at the crease on 52 not out alongside Sean Williams 13 not out after Taijul dismissed Brian Chari for 13 and Brendan Taylor for six.

Masakadza led the early charge with two sixes off Taijul after he won the toss and elected to bat first in the first ever Test to be hosted at the picturesque stadium.

Debutant medium pacer Ariful Haque could have dismissed Masakadza, who also hit four boundaries, on 21 if Bangladesh had reviewed a leg-before appeal.

The field umpire had turned down the appeal but replay indicated that the ball had hit the stumps after pitching outside off.

Bangladesh earlier reviewed a leg-before appeal against Chari off left-arm spinner Taijul in vain as replay showed that the ball took a feather touch on the bat before hitting the pad.

Taijul soon bowled Chari, who tried to play with a cross bat but failed to connect the ball, with a flatter delivery that kept low.

The spinner then had Taylor caught by Nazmul Hossain at forward short leg.

Bangladesh left out Mustafizur Rahman, Mohammad Mithun, Shafiul Islam, Khaled Ahmed and handed a Test debut to all-rounder Ariful and left-arm spinner Nazmul Islam.

Brandon Mavuta and Wellington Masakadza are also making their Test debut for Zimbabwe.