Sports Desk: Opener Shadman Islam struck his third half-century as Bangladesh put them in a dominant position at lunch on day four of the one-off Test against Zimbabwe at Harare Sports Club today.
At the first interval of the day, Shadman was batting on 72 with Nazmul Hossain Shanto on 47, guiding Bangladesh to 169-1.
The Tigers now are in lead of 361 in the match, already an improbable target for Zimbabwe.
Shadman struck seven boundaries in a knock for which he so far played 144 balls while Shanto who faced 57 balls, so far clattered two fours and as many sixes.
Resuming the day on 45 for no loss, Bangladesh batted fluently to keep Zimbabwe bowlers at bay with Shadman particularly treating the hosts with disdain.
Saif Hassan who was out on naught in the first innings also played his part well and looked set to reach his first half-century in Test cricket.
But he perished to a cut shot off pace bowler Richard Ngarava to be out on career-best 43 and his dismissal put an end to the 88-run partnership between him and Shadman.
But the arrival of Nazmul Hossain Shanto paced the scoreboard as Bangladesh showed their intent to bury Zimbabwe under huge score.
Shadman however glanced one towards fine leg for a single to reach his half-century off 101 balls.
He then matched with Shanto’s stroke-play to extend the agony of Zimbabwe bowlers further.
Bangladesh compiled 468 in their first innings, thanks a career-best 150 not out off Mahmudullah Riyad after which Mehidy Hasan Miraz (5-82) and Shakib Al Hasan (4-82) shared nine wickets between them to wrap Zimbabwe first innings for 276.
