Bangladesh vs Zimbabwe, ZIM in BAN, 2 Tests, 2025 Apr 20 Full score card

FOUR! Wessly Madhevere with the winning runs! Zimbabwe get over the line in a tense finish. Floated up, on off, Wessly Madhevere reaches out in front and brings out the reverse. Hits it all along the ground down to the vacant deep third region for a boundary. Zimbabwe clinch this thriller by 3 wickets and go 1-0 up in the two-match series!

Good length, orthdox delivery, on off, Richard Ngarava puts a big stride forward and defends it into the ground.

Full on off, Wessly Madhevere drives this off the front foot to long off for a single.

Slower through the air, turning away, bounces a bit extra, as Wessly Madhevere somehow manages to defend it into the ground.

Floated up, on off, Wessly Madhevere gets on the front foot and smothers the spin.

Short and on off, Wessly Madhevere stabs it out off the back foot.

FOUR! Wessly Madhevere with a crucial hit now! Darted in from around the wicket, on a nagging length, on off, Wessly Madhevere gets down on a knee and has a swipe across the line. Smears it to the right of mid on for a boundary. 5 more needed for Zimbabwe.

FOUR! Take that! Richard Ngarava is here to finish it off! Tossed up on middle, Richard Ngarava lofts this one over mid on as the ball runs away to the boundary. 9 runs more needed for Zimbabwe.

Full on off, Richard Ngarava defends it off the front foot back to the bowler.

Quicker, flatter and going with the arm, Richard Ngarava lunges forward and pushes it into th leg side.

Richard Ngarava walks out to bat.

OUT! TIMBER! An absolute beauty from Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Bangladesh continue to strike back! Bowled from wide of the crease on the around-the-wicket angle, on the off stump, on a nagging length, Wellington Masakadza presses forward to defend but gets squared up as the ball lands and straightens to go past the outside edge. It goes through to hit the top of the off stump. Back-to-back five wicket-hauls for Mehidy. Zimbabwe are now 161/7, needing 13 more runs.

Floated up, on off, Wellington Masakadza presses forward and smothers the spin.

Just short! Short and turning into the pads, on middle and leg, Wellington Masakadza tries to turn it away on the leg side. Gets an inside edge onto the pads and it drops just short of the diving Zakir Hasan at silly point.

The light meter is out but we are good to continue.

Tossed up on middle Wessly Madhevere drives it back to the bowler.

Tossed up outside off, Wellington Masakadza defends it into the off side.

Short on leg, Wellington Masakadza looks to flick it but gets hit on the pads. Appeal for LBW but that was never hitting.

Slower and shorter, on off, Wellington Masakadza defends it down.

Short and wide on off, cut away to deep cover for one.

Flat and short, on off, Wessly Madhevere keeps it out on the off side.

DRINKS BREAK! Phew… we all need a breather, don’t we? This is Test cricket at its captivating best, unfolding right here in Sylhet. Bangladesh have sparked a remarkable turnaround and breathed new life into this contest thanks to their probing spin duo. Wessly Madhevere and Wellington Masakadza have managed to ease a few nerves with their calm presence at the crease, but pressure does strange things and right now, it's more about holding their nerve than anything else for the tourists.

On a length on off, Wellington Masakadza punches it off the back foot to short cover.

From round the wicket, full on middle, Wessly Madhevere comes down the track and drives this past the catching mid on for a single.

Good length, off break turning into the right hander, around off, Wessly Madhevere defends it off the back foot.

Short and on off, Wessly Madhevere hangs back to stab it down.

This keeps low, on the shorter side, on middle, Wessly Madhevere keeps it out.

Floated up, on off, Wessly Madhevere presses forward to defend.

FOUR! That will help! Full and around off, Wellington Masakadza takes a step down and drives this down the ground to the left of mid off for four. The target is now down to just 16 runs.

Full on off, Wellington Masakadza defends it off the front foot.

Tossed up on middle, Wessly Madhevere flicks it just past forward short leg and runs a quick single as the short mid-wicket fielder cuts it off.

Slows it down and gets the ball to grip in the wicket, on off, Wessly Madhevere presents a straight bat to defend. Gets it off the outer half of the bat to point.

Short and on off, Wellington Masakadza rocks back and punches it to the right of mid off for a single.

On a nagging length, on off, Wellington Masakadza lunges to defend.

Drifting away, short and on off, Wessly Madhevere stays back to keep it out.

Short and on middle, tucked on the bounce to short leg.

Floated up, fuller and on off, Wessly Madhevere steps out and smothers the spin.

Short and on off, Wessly Madhevere hangs back to defend.

Short on middle, Wessly Madhevere punches it to catchinig mid-on.

Flat and outside off, Wessly Madhevere rocks on the back foot and defends it into the ground.

Turning down the leg side, Wellington Masakadza pads it away.

Tossed up, on middle, Wellington Masakadza defends it on the bounce to forward short leg.

SIX! Wow! That has come out of nowhere! Tossed up on middle, Wellington Masakadza skips down the track and lofts this one over the long on region for six.

Tossed up, turning in on middle, Wellington Masakadza flicks it to short mid-wicket.

Short on middle, Wessly Madhevere works it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Tossed up on off, Wessly Madhevere blocks it off the front foot out to point.

An arm ball on middle, Wessly Madhevere defends it off the front foot to short mid-wicket.

Tossed up, outside off, Wellington Masakadza punches it off the back foot to short cover.

Short this time, just outside off, Wellington Masakadza defends it off back foot as the ball holds in the wicket and comes late on the bat.

Full off break turning away, just outside off, Wellington Masakadza defends it off the front foot towards silly point.

Full delivery on middle, Wellington Masakadza flicks it on the bounce to forward short leg.

Wellington Masakadza is the new batter.

OUT! CLEANED HIM UP! Mehidy Hasan Miraz strikes! Nyasha Mayavo never really looked assured during his stay. This is on the shorter side, on off, Nyasha Mayavo does not get behind the line of the ball and stays leg side of the ball. The ball lands and spins back in to go past the inside edge of the bat. It crashes into the stumps and Bangladesh's joy knows no bounds. 4th wicket of the innings for Mehidy. Zimbabwe are now 145/6, needing 29 more runs to win.

On middle, on the shorter side, Wessly Madhevere keeps it out from the crease.

Skidding on, at the stumps, on a nagging length, Wessly Madhevere hangs back to defend.

Speared in, on middle, Nyasha Mayavo gets forward with a straight bat. Gets an inside edge that rolls past short leg for a single.

DROPPED! Zakir Hasan puts it down! A tough chance but Bangladesh need that to stick. On a nagging length, on off, Nyasha Mayavo defends it well in front of the body and goes at it with hard hands. The ball lobs off the splice of the bat towards silly point where Zakir dives to his right and closes his hands too early. The ball brushes his fingertips and drops down.

Pushed through, on middle, Nyasha Mayavo blocks it out by getting behind the line.

Nyasha Mayavo comes out to bat.

OUT! CAUGHT BEHIND! Taijul Islam gets the big fish! Turning down the leg side, on the shorter side, Craig Ervine looks to help it away with the spin but misses. The keeper, Jaker Ali, moves to his right quickly to gobble it.  A confident shout for caught behind but turned down. Jaker Ali is convinced and Najmul Hossain Shanto takes the review. The UltraEdge shows a spike when the ball is next to the bat and the on-field decision has been reversed. Ervine trudges off with Zimbabwe still needing 30 more runs to win.

Offers flight, full and on off, Wessly Madhevere gets forward to stab it out.

More loop on this one, on off, Wessly Madhevere taps it back to Mehidy.

Floated up, on off, Wessly Madhevere plays it back to the bowler.

Loops it up, full and on off, Wessly Madhevere lunges to defend.

Tosses it up, full and on off, Wessly Madhevere blocks it out.

Short and on middle, kept out.

Pushed away for a couple by Craig Ervine.

Cut away through covers for a single by Wessly Madhevere.

Played towards mid on for a single by Craig Ervine.

Flat and short, on middle, Craig Ervine keeps it out from the crease.

A huge shout for caught behind but turned down! This goes straight on, on off, on a length, Craig Ervine plays for the turn but there is not any. The ball sneaks past the outside edge and the keeper, Jaker Ali, stays low to snaffle it. UltraEdge confirms no bat and actually, the sound was off the bat hitting the pad. Bangladesh lose a review.

FOUR! A boundary after quite a while for Zimbabwe! That will ease some pressure. Floated up, on off, Craig Ervine gets a good stride in and frims the drive all along the ground to the right of mid off for a boundary. The tourists need 34 more runs.

Loopy delivery, full and around off, Wessly Madhevere tries to smother the spin by getting on the front foot. Gets it off the inner half of the bat and the ball dribbles towards short leg.

On the pads, on a length, clipped to mid-wicket.

Tosses it up, on off, Wessly Madhevere presses forward and calmly defends.

Shorter and quicker, on middle, Wessly Madhevere turns it to mid-wicket.

Full and straight, on middle, Wessly Madhevere solidly defends.

Floated up, on middle, Wessly Madhevere drops it beside the pitch on the leg side.

Slows it down from wide of the crease, drifting in, on middle, Wessly Madhevere guides it wide of point for a single.

Short again, on off, Wessly Madhevere keeps it out from the crease.

Keeps it short, on off, Wessly Madhevere hangs back to defend.

Turning away, on off, Wessly Madhevere drives but the ball deflects off the body of the fielder at silly point and dribbles to mid off.

Full and on middle, Wessly Madhevere nudges it to the right of the bowler.

Slips in an arm ball, on middle, Wessly Madhevere knocks it back to Taijul.

Pulls the length back, on off, Craig Ervine gets on top of it and stabs it out.

Sliding on with the arm, at the stumps, Craig Ervine gets behind it and blocks.

Fuller and quicker, outside off, firmly driven to cover-point.

This spins away from the left-hander, on the fuller side, Craig Ervine is drawn forward but gets beaten in his defence on the outside edge as the ball turns past him. The keeper, Jaker Ali whips the bails off but Ervine has his back leg grounded inside the crease.

On off, on a nagging length, Craig Ervine solidly defends.

An arm ball, at the stumps, Craig Ervine watchfully keeps it out.

Turning away, on a nagging length, around off, Wessly Madhevere lets it pass.

Full and on the pads, clipped to mid-wicket.

Short and sliding on, Wessly Madhevere tucks it to the bounce to short leg.

Was that a chance? Floated up, full and turning away, around off, Wessly Madhevere stays leg side of the ball and looks to drive it away on the off side. The ball dips and spins past the bat. The keeper, Jaker Ali, wears it on the body as the ball shoots a bit off the deck. There was a noise but it looked to be off the bat hitting the ground.

Tossed up on the off stump line, Craig Ervine flicks it to the right of short mid-wicket for a single.

Full on middle and leg, Craig Ervine drives it to mid on.

Tossed up delivery outside off, Wessly Madhevere leans forward and pushes it to mid off.

Tossed up, outside off, Craig Ervine pushes it towards mid-off and sets for a quick single.

As we had hoped and expected, it indeed turned out to be just a passing shower, and the players are back on the park. Mehidy Hasan Miraz is at the top of his mark and we are ready to get underway.

UPDATE - 10.23 am GMT - Oh, no! It has started to rain, and the players are heading off the field. The ground staff come charging in with the covers. Thankfully, the cloud cover isn’t too heavy, so this could just be a passing shower. Fingers crossed it clears up quickly and we get back to what’s been an intriguing final session so far. Zimbabwe will welcome this break, as Bangladesh had their tails up just before the rain arrived.

Offers flight, full and on off, Craig Ervine pushes it back to the bowler.

Floated up, on middle, Craig Ervine defends with his bat close to the front pad.

Short and on middle, Craig Ervine stays back and blocks it out.

Fired in, at the stumps, Craig Ervine gets behind the line and solidly defends.

FOUR! Lucky for Zimbabwe and Wessly Madhevere! Short and turning away, Wellington Masakadza goes for the cut as teh ball takes the outside edge and goes past the first slip fielder for four. It will be harsh to call it as a chance.

Tossed up on off, Wessly Madhevere  defends it off the front foot.

Good length, orthodox delivery outside off, Wessly Madhevere defends it off the front foot.

Slower through the air, outside off, Wessly Madhevere pushes it off the back foot to backward point.

Full on middle, Craig Ervine drives this to the right of the bowler and takes a single.

Shortish length on middle, Craig Ervine works it on the bounce to forward short leg.

Short on middle, Wessly Madhevere defends it off the back foot. Oh that one stayed low.

Wessly Madhevere is in next.

OUT! GONE! CAUGHT! One brings two for Bangladesh and the belief grows in their camp! Good-length delivery on middle, Brian Bennett skips down the track as he looks to go over long on. He doesn't quite get to the pitch of the ball as he toe ends it straight into the hands of Mushfiqur Rahim at long on. Bennett falls for 54 (81). Zimbabwe lose their 4th wicket with still 46 runs needed for the win.

Short and turning down leg, Brian Bennett doesn't offer a shot as the ball hits his left pad. No appeal as that one's sliding down leg.

Fuller, off break on off, Brian Bennett defends it off the front foot to mid off.

Again short on middle, Brian Bennett works it to short mid-wicket off the back foot.

Short and turning down leg, Brian Bennett lets it go.

Full and attacking the front pad, clipped to short mid-wicket.

Turning into the pads, short and on the pads, Craig Ervine stabs it down on the leg side.

Tosses it up, full and on middle, Craig Ervine lunges to smother the spin.

Short and on middle, Craig Ervine hangs back and glances it to short fine leg.

Floated up, fuller and slower, on off, Brian Bennett pushes it past the diving cover fielder for a single.

Short and on off, Brian Bennett hangs back to pat it to cover.

Drifting into the pads, on a nagging length, Craig Ervine turns it to mid-wicket.

Full and slanting in, on off, Craig Ervine presses forward to dab it down the deck.

Fired in, full and on middle, Craig Ervine solidly blocks it out.

This spins away, on the shorter side, Craig Ervine gets on the back foot to keep it out.

Full and at the stumps, Craig Ervine lunges to block it out.

The captain of Zimbabwe, Craig Ervine, walks in next.

OUT! TAKEN! This will give some hope to Bangladesh! From around the wicket, on a nagging length, on off, Sean Williams tries to turn it away on the leg side but the ball shoots off the deck and the extra bounce does the trick. The ball catches the leading edge and balloons towards short cover, where Najmul Hossain Shanto takes a dolly. Zimbabwe are now 127/3, needing 47 more runs.

Straying onto the pads, on a nagging length, Sean Williams flicks it past short leg for one more.

Short and on middle, Sean Williams goes back to stab it down.

On off, on a nagging length, Brian Bennett gets forward and plays it wide of cover for one.

Coming in with the arm on the shorter side, on middle, Brian Bennett goes back to defend.

Speared in at the stumps, Brian Bennett gets his bat out in front to keep it out.

Loopy delivery, low full toss, Sean Williams eases the drive along the ground to mid on for a single.

Flat and short, on the pads, tucked to mid-wicket from the crease.

Shorter and slower, on off, Sean Williams punches it wide of cover for a single.

Drags the length back, on off, Sean Williams steers it towards backward point.

SIX! BANG! Mehidy Hasan Miraz gets the ball to slide into the left-hander, on a length, on middle and leg, Sean Williams makes use of the angle and gets down on a knee. Clobbers it over wide long on for a flat six.

Darted in again, on middle, Sean Williams presses forward and pushes it to mid on.

Sliding on with the arm, full and at the stumps, Sean Williams knocks it to the left of the bowler.

We are back for the start of the third session. Brian Bennett and Sean Williams are all set to resume their innings. Bangladesh are starting with spin in the form of Mehidy Hasan Miraz. Here we go!

... DAY 4, SESSION 3 ...

Bangladesh will have to keep believing that they can still script a turnaround. A couple of quick wickets after the break could send the cat among the pigeons and breathe new life into the contest. As things stand, Zimbabwe are firmly in the driver’s seat and well on course to pull off what would be a record chase in their Test history. The next session could very well be the final one of this Test, but a lot will hinge on how the light holds up. Back in a bit for the third session.

Bangladesh were listless with the ball and failed to make the most of the new ball, allowing Ben Curran and Brian Bennett to cash in. There was a brief phase when Khaled Ahmed and Mehidy Hasan Miraz bowled in tandem, where it felt like a wicket was around the corner, but the Zimbabwean pair showed solid application to weather that storm. Once that tricky period was navigated, they took full advantage of the spin from both ends. With the target dipping below 100, the batters were emboldened to play with more freedom and they did just that.

SESSION SUMMARY - 27 overs, 113 runs and 2 wickets. Another session goes Zimbabwe’s way, and they now stand just 57 runs away from taking the lead in the series. Bangladesh did manage to strike twice towards the back end of the session, but by then, the damage had already been done. The session run rate of 4.19 tells you that the hosts were never really able to apply any sustained pressure.

Slows it down, full and at the stumps, Brian Bennett pushes it back to Taijul. That will be TEA on Day 4!

fuller ball again, on the off stump, Brian Bennett pushes it back to the bowler.

full on middle, Brian Bennett defends it off the front foot back to the bowler.

Slower through the air turning away, Brian Bennett looks to defend it and gets an outside edge that drops just in front of the slip fielder, who misfields it as the ball runs behind the wicket and the batters manage to take two as the slip fielder runs behind the ball and cuts it off.

Slower through the air on middle, Brian Bennett defends it back to the bowler.

FIFTY FOR BENNETT! Back-to-back fifties for Brian! Full on middle, Brian Bennett just flicks it with soft hands into the vacant mid-wicket region and sets off for two runs. This has been one aggressive knock from him and one has to say this counterattack has been superb.

Another tossed up ball on off, Sean Williams gets right behind the line of the ball and blocks it off the front foot back to the bowler.

Tossed up on off, Sean Williams blocks it off the front foot, into the off side.

Good length on middle, Sean Williams defends it nicely off the front foot back to the bowler.

Drifting in, on middle, Sean Williams defends it off the front foot.

Floated up, on off, Brian Bennett knocks it to long on for a single.

Pushed through, short and on the pads, Brian Bennett tucks it to short leg.

Sean Williams walks in at number 4.

OUT! LBW! As plumb as it gets. On a nagging length, this doesn't turn and goes on with the arm. Nick Welch looks to play for the turn but gets beaten on the inside edge and the ball hits the front pad. The umpire's finger went up in no time. Nick Welch doesn't go for the review and Zimbabwe lose their second, requiring 62 more runs.

Short on off, Nick Welch pushes it to short cover off the back foot.

That's more like it from Taijul! On off, drifting into the batter, and then turning away as the batter looks to defend it off the front foot. The ball goes just past the outside edge.

Now short and outside off, Brian Bennett cuts it off the back foot to deep backward point for a single.

Full on off, Brian Bennett drives it to short cover.

Good length on middle, Brian Bennett defends it off the front foot as the ball takes the inside edge and rolls down to forward short leg fielder.

FOUR! Swept away! Full on middle, Nick Welch sits down on one knee and sweeps this one along the ground to the deep square leg region for four. No chance for backward square leg to cut it off, as that ball went to the boundary like a tracer bullet.

Fuller this time, on off, Nick Welch again defends it cautiously off the front foot. Mehidy Hasan Miraz is getting some turn here.

Good length off break just outside off, Nick Welch blocks it off the front foot.

A touch short on middle, Nick Welch blocks it into the ground.

Good length off break on off, Nick Welch blocks it off the front foot.

Good length delivery on middle, Nick Welch defends it off the front foot as he brings his bat in front of his pads.

Back of a length delivery, outside off, Brian Bennett leaves it alone.

FOUR BYES! Bangladesh are not helping their cause here! Short ball sliding down leg side, Brian Bennett leaves it alone. The wicket-keeper dives to his left, only in the hope of getting near the ball, but the ball goes well wide of him to the fence for four. Poor from Nahid Rana!

Back of a length on middle, Nick Welch pushes it off the back foot to the right of the bowler and takes a quick single.

Length ball, outside off, angling into the right hander, in the channel outside off, Nick Welch goes for a wild slog as he swings through the line fiercely. But his bat can only connect with thin air as the ball goes past the top edge.

On a length around off, Nick Welch looks to flick it, but the ball straightens just a touch, and hence Nick Welch eventually doesn't play the flick and plays it with a straightish bat, back to the bowler.

Back of a length on off, Nick Welch defends it off the back foot to point.

Now the full length off break on off stump, Brian Bennett blocks it off the front foot.

Short again on middle-leg, Brian Bennett works it off the back foot to short mid-wicket.

Short length off break, on leg stump, Brian Bennett rocks on the back foot to work it into the leg side, he can't get any bat on it as the ball hits his back leg.

Good length, off break on middle, Nick Welch eases the drive, off the front foot to long on for a single.

Full on off, Brian Bennett leans forward and defends it into the off side and takes a single as the fielder from slip runs behind the ball and cuts it off.

Tossed up, full, on middle-leg, Brian Bennett goes on the back foot and plays it on the bounce to forward short leg.

On a length on off, Nick Welch blocks it off the back foot to mid off. No run.

On a length, seaming into the right hander on middle, Nick Welch looking to flick it, gets an inside edge and wears on his body and goes on the bounce to short leg fielder.

On a length on middle, Nick Welch was looking to work it into the leg side, but curbs the shot as he defends it back to the bowler.

Good length, outside off, Nick Welch lets it go.

FOUR! Nick Welch doesn't need any sighters as he goes for the lofted drive first ball! Full delivery, outside off, Nick Welch goes for the drive and gets it off the outside half of the bat as the ball goes just over the gully fielder for four. 100 up for Zimbabwe!

Yorker, outside off, Brian Bennett goes for a drive off the front foot and gets a bit of an edge on that one, as the ball goes past the gully fielder. Deep point cuts it off. Single taken.

Nick Welch is in at number 3.

OUT! CAUGHT! One shot, too many for Ben Curran and he has to go. Tossed up off break on off, Ben Curran skips down the track and looks to take the aerial route, in order to loft this over mid on, but the ball turns away and takes the leading edge of his bat, and goes high in the air to mid off, where Khaled Ahmed takes a simple catch in the end. Ben falls for 44 (75). Zimbabwe are now 95/1, requiring 79 more runs to win.

Flat and quicker, on off, Ben Curran pushes it off the backfoot, and pushes it on the bounce to forward short leg.

Fuller and quicker on off, Ben Curran defends it off the front foot.

A short length off break, on middle-leg, Brian Bennett works it off the back foot, in the air to the left of the forward short leg fielder, who puts out his left hand but can't reach the ball. Batters take a single.

Short on off, Brian Bennett pushes it off the back foot to short cover.

Tossed up, full on middle, Brian Bennett flicks this to short mid-wicket.

Good length, orthodox delivery turning into the left hander, on middle, Ben Curran pushes it off the front foot, into the leg side.

A touch short this time on middle, Ben Curran comfortably flicks this to short mid-wicket.

On off, Ben Curran blocks this off the front foot back to the bowler.

Full this time, on midlde, Ben Curran flicks it off the front foot to short leg.

On a length, on middle-leg, Ben Curran flicks it on the bounce to short leg.

FOUR! A full toss put away! Full toss on middle, Ben Curran makes some room and drives this along the ground through covers for four.

Short and on off, Brian Bennett presses back to defend.

Floated up, on off, Brian Bennett pushes it to cover.

Full delivery, on off, Brian Bennett pushes it off the back foot to the point fielder.

Fuller on middle, Ben Curran goes for the slog sweep again and he hasn't connected it one bit as the ball takes the top edge and falls just out of the reach of the mid on fielder running behind the ball. Batters take a single.

Tossed up again, on middle. Ben Curran pushes it off the back foot to short mid-wicket.

FOUR! Zimbabwe are now just motoring their way towards the total! Slower through the air on off, full, Ben Curran brings out the slog sweep as he sends this delivery on the bounce, over the cow corner region for four.

SIX! Zimbabwe are in a hurry here! Tossed up on off, Brian Bennett takes the aerial route as he lofts this one off the front foot over the long on region for six. 16 runs off the over!

Tossed up, orthodox delivery, on off, Brian Bennett defends it off the front foot to mid off.

Short on middle-leg, Ben Curran works it off the back foot to deep mid-wicket for a single.

FOUR! Runs are coming thick and fast and this game is slipping out of the hands of the home side! Slower through the air, turning into the left hander, on middle-leg, Ben Curran carefully flicks this delivery along the ground, very fine, evading the leg slip fielder to pick up four runs.

Short in length, just outside off, Brian Bennett punches it off the back foot, along the ground to the right of deep extra cover for two runs.

FOUR! SHORT AND CUT AWAY! Short and wide, asking to be hit, Brian Bennett rocks back on the back foot and cuts this through the point region to pick up another four.

A touch shorter on middle, Brian Bennett pushes it off the back foot to the right of mid on for a single to keep the strike.

FOUR! Full on off, from round the wicket, Brian Bennett drives this nonchalantly through covers for four.

Short, just outside off, Brian Bennett cuts it square of the wicket, and picks up two runs as the short cover fielder runs behind the ball and cuts it off.

On a length, off break, on off, Brian Bennett lunges forward and defends it back to the bowler.

Full delivery, on off, Ben Curran drives it to the left of short cover for a single.

Full on middle, Ben Curran flicks it straight to Mominul Haque at short leg, who stays low to make the stop. Curran thinks that the ball has gone past Mominul and is off for the run but Haque fails to get the ball in his hands to release the throw. A big chance missed!

FOUR! Dispatched! A half-tracker, on off, Brian Bennett has all the time in the world to rock back and slap it wide of deep point for a boundary.

On off, flat and short, Brian Bennett defends it off the back foot.

Slows it down, short and on off, Brian Bennett is early into the shot as he tries to push it away on the off side. Bunts it beside the pitch on the off side.

Short and on middle, Ben Curran tucks it off the back foot through mid-wicket for a single.

On a nagging length, on middle, Ben Curran looks to flick it but the ball takes a bit of edge and hits his pads. Some uhhs and ahhs in the background.

Caught, is it? A harmless length ball on middle, Ben Curran just flicks it in the hands of forward short leg, where Mominul Haque pouches it with both hands. The umpires converge and send it upstairs to check for the clean catch. Oh, as it appears on the big screen, it didn't carry to Mominul and went into the ground before going into the hand. So NOT OUT is the call.

A touch full, on off, Brian Bennett leans forward to defend it off the front foot, and gets a bit of an inside edge that just evades the forward short leg fielder.

Short on off, Brian Bennett blocks it off the back foot, back to the bowler.

Full on middle-leg, Brian Bennett flicks it to short mid-wicket. No run.

FOUR! Short and gets the punishment! This is poor bowling! Short delivery, just outside off, Brian Bennett cuts this off the back foot through the extra cover region for four.

A touch short around off, Brian Bennett hangs back and pushes it to short cover.

Tossed up on off. Brian Bennett drives it off the front foot, to mid off.

DRINKS BREAK! A wicketless first hour, and Zimbabwe couldn’t have asked for a better start to the session. The two openers have been quick to put away anything loose but the introduction of Khaled Ahmed and Mehidy Hasan Miraz has brought a few close shouts, and a bit more control from Bangladesh. It hasn’t resulted in a breakthrough just yet, but the hosts are probing patiently, looking for that one opening to pounce on.

From around the wicket, on a shortish length, on off, Ben Curran hops and rides the bounce to dab it down.

Hurls it on a good length, on off, keeps a bit low but Ben Curran manages to keep it out.

Two leg byes! Khaled Ahmed strays on the pads, on a short of a length, Ben Curran fails to lay any bat on the tickle. The ball goes off the pads to the left of deep fine leg for a couple of leg byes.

On a good length, on off, Ben Curran stabs it down on the off side from the crease.

Attacking the front pad, Ben pushes this full ball to mid off.

Full and on off, Ben Curran drives it straight to mid off.

Flat and short, on off, kept out off the back foot by Brian Bennett. A maiden from Mehidy Hasan Miraz.

Looped up, fuller and on off, Brian Bennett lunges to defend.

Short and on off, played to cover off the back foot.

Turn and bounce! This is pushed through, short and on off, Brian Bennett shapes up to punch it away on the off side. The ball spins back in to catch the inside edge onto the thigh pad before dropping down on the ground.

Short and on off, Brian Bennett looks to push it away on the off side. Miscues it back towards the bowler.

Floated up, full and on middle, Brian Bennett pushes it back to Mehidy.

50 up for Zimbabwe! On middle and leg, on a nagging length, Ben Curran whips it through mid-wicket and comes charging back for the second run.

On a short of a length, outside off, Brian Bennett punches it to deep point for a single.

Lands it on a length, on middle, Ben Curran looks to knock it into the leg side but gets a soft leading edge wide of cover for a single.

Full and on off, driven straight to cover.

Wow! How did that miss the stumps? This nips away off the deck, on a back of a length, on middle, Ben Curran looks to close the bat face and work it away on the leg side. Gets squared up due to the movement as the ball sneaks past the blade and brushes the back pad on the way to the keeper. The ball goes just over the top of the off stump.

Going across, on a length, Ben Curran defends it with soft hands. The ball seams away to catch the outside edge and it goes on the bounce to gully.

Pushed through, on the pads, Brian Bennett tucks but can't get it past short leg.

Short and turning in, on middle, Brian Bennett rocks back to pat it down.

Drifts into the pads, on the shorter side, Ben Curran glances it to deep backward square leg for one.

From wide of the crease, on a length, kept out off the front foot.

Tossed up, on a length, Ben Curran presses forward to smother the spin.

Short and on off, Ben Curran defends it solidly.

On a hard length, on off, Brian Bennett hops to push it to point.

Seaming away, on a good length, Ben Curran steers it wide of backward point and he gets called through for a quick single by Brian Bennett.

On a good length, on middle and leg, Ben Curran tucks it to mid-wicket.

Full and attacking the stumps, whipped wide of mid on where Nahid Rana tumbles to his right to make the stop. Just a single.

FOUR LEG BYES! On a hard length, nipping back in too much down leg, Brian Bennett misses the tickle. The ball brushes the thigh pad and beats the diving Jaker Ali to his left for a boundary.

A loud shout for LBW but turned down! There was a woody noise and Brian Bennett did seem to indicate that he got bat on it as the Bangladeshi players went up in an appeal. On a back of a length, jagging back in, on off, Bennett ekes out an inside edge back onto the pads as he looks to keep it out off the back foot.

Bowled from wide of the crease, on a nagging length, on off, Ben Curran stays back to block.

Flatter and shorter, on middle, Ben Curran goes back to defend.

FOUR! Innovative and effective! Floated up, on off, Ben Curran reaches out in front and brings out the reverse. Hits it to the right of deep point for a boundary.

Pushed through, on off, Ben Curran stabs it down on the off side.

Lovely delivery! Encouraging signs for Mehidy Hasan Miraz. This grips and turns away, on the shorter side, on off, Ben Curran defends the line and gets beaten.

Turning away, on a nagging length, on off, Ben covers the line and blocks it out.

Goes full, on off, Ben Curran eases it to the right of mid off for a single.

Another one that kicks up a bit, on off, on a back of a length, Ben Curran fends it down on the off side.

In the corridor on off, on a good length, left alone by Ben.

An absolute peach from Hasan Mahmud! Angling in from around the wicket. Bowled from wide of the crease, on a good length, on off, Ben Curran hangs his bat out to defend but the ball shoots off the deck and jags away to zip past the outside edge.

Outside off, on a nagging length, Ben dabs it to cover-point.

On off, on a good length, Ben Curran hangs back to defend.

BUZZERS! Looped up, full and on off, Ben Curran advances down the track and knocks it to mid off for a quick single. There is a direct hit at the bowling end but Curran is well in. The throw deflects away to the left of deep fine leg for a couple of runs more.

Slows it down, fuller and on off, Ben plays it back to Mehidy.

Darted in from around the wicket, on a nagging length, on middle, Ben Curran tucks it to short leg.

Drags the length back and gets the ball to spin away, Ben Curran hangs back to stab it down on the off side.

Tossed up, on off, Ben smothers the spin off the front foot.

Floated up, on off, Ben Curran defends it off the front foot.

Time for spin as Mehidy Hasan Miraz comes on.

Leg bye! Drifting into the pads, Ben Curran misses the tickle. A leg bye is taken as the ball goes off the pads to the right of the keeper.

Beaten! Ben Curran skips down the track to put the bowler off his length and tries to keep it out with a straight but the ball nips away to go past the outside edge.

Outside off, Ben Curran lets it pass.

In the channel on off, on a nagging length, Ben Curran lets it go.

On a back of a length, on off, punched on the bounce to short cover.

FOUR! Off the edge but the boundaries continue to flow for Zimbabwe! Hasan Mahmud comes from around the wicket and serves it on a good length, on off, Ben Curran takes a step down the track and looks to cover the line of the ball. Gets it off the outer half past backward point for a boundary.

This stays a bit low, outside off, on a back of a length, Brian Bennett hops to punch it away but misses as the ball sneaks under the bat.

Brian Bennett misses out! Short and wide on off, Bennett throws his hands at the delivery but loses his shape. Chops it down in front of point.

Slanting in on a back of a length, on middle, tucked to mid-wicket.

On a length, outside off, Brian Bennett leaves the ball alone.

FOUR! Edged away! This is on a back of a length, outside off, Brian Bennett fiddles at the delivery and gets an outside edge. It beats the diving Mehidy Hasan Miraz at gully to his left for a boundary.

On off, on a length, Brian Bennett extends his hands into the drive and plays it to the right of deep point for a couple of runs.

On a good length, going away, Ben Curran shoulders arms.

FOUR! Short and punished! Hasan Mahmud misses his mark. Bowls it short and wide on off, Ben Curran pounces on it as he hangs back and slaps it past point for a boundary.

Lands it on a hard length, slanting across, Ben Curran lets it pass.

FOUR! Crunched! A bit too full from Mahmud and wide on off, Ben Curran goes after it as he cracks the drive through covers for a boundary.

Sprayed down leg, on a length, Ben Curran misses the tickle.

Going across, on a back of a length, left alone by Ben.

FOUR! Two in two for Brian Bennett! Nahid Rana errs in line as he offers width on off, on a back of a length, Bennett rides the bounce and punches it to the right of backward point for four more.

FOUR! Gets it through! On a shortish length, on off, Brian Bennett plays it close to his body as he gets on his toes. Opens the face of the bat and guides it past gully for a boundary.

Wide on off, on a back of a length, Brian Bennett lets it pass.

Lands it on a short of a length, outside off, Brian Bennett shoulders arms.

Beaten! Pitched up, moving away in the air, Brian Bennett goes for the big booming drive and is lucky not to have nicked it behind.

On a hard length, around off, Brian Bennett hops and steers it to point.

Hasan Mahmud starts with a maiden! Shaping back in, on a good length, on middle, Curran nudges it to mid-wicket.

Short and wide on off, there to be put away, Ben Curran cuts well but can't get it past Taijul Islam at backward point.

Play and a miss! Makes the batter play this time and manages to beat the bat. On a back of a length, on off, Curran is tucked for room and tries to punch it away on the off side but gets beaten on the outside edge.

Pulls the length back slightly and pushes it across the batter again, an easy leave for Ben Curran.

Pushed across the left hander, on a good length, left alone by Ben.

On a good length, on off, Ben Curran covers the line and pats it back to the bowler with a straight bat.

All in readiness for the second session to get underway. Najmul Hossain Shanto and his men have made their way out to the middle. Hasan Mahmud has the new ball in hand. Ben Curran will face the first ball of the session. Let's play...

... DAY 4, SESSION 2 ...

Bangladesh would have ideally wanted to stretch the lead beyond 200, but they still have something to bowl at. The new ball will be crucial as its hardness and the steep bounce on offer have made life difficult for the batters so far. As for Zimbabwe, it's all about taking it session by session. The pitch has started to show signs of turn, and how their batters handle spin could well decide the outcome. Five sessions left, and it's shaping up to be a fascinating finish. We will be back shortly for the post-Lunch session!

After the first hour spell from the two tall pacers, we saw a bit of resistance from Jaker Ali and Hasan Mahmud, who put on a gritty 35-run partnership for the 8th wicket. Jaker started farming the strike after some time and did it with precision as he got a fifty to his name. However, Hasan ran out of patience, and that opened the gates for the tourists, who wasted no time in wrapping up the innings in quick fashion. In pursuit of 174 runs, Brian Bennett and Ben Curran safely negotiated the solitary over before the break.

SESSION SUMMARY - 23.2 overs, 65 runs and 6 wickets. The first session has belonged to Zimbabwe by some margin. The session started with a brain fade moment from the Bangladesh captain, Najmul Hossain Shanto, who played a poor shot on the second ball of the day as he looked to take on the short ball from Blessing Muzarabani and ended up gifting his wicket away. Richard Ngarava and Muzarabani gave away absolutely nothing as they kept on challenging the outside edge of batters with their tight lines and lengths. Blessing got a six-fer to his name to end up with 9 wickets in this game.

On a length on middle-leg, Ben Curran flicks it off his pads, towards deep square leg and takes three as the man from square leg chases the ball down near the boundary. And that will be LUNCH on Day 4!

Now the short ball, well outside off, Ben Curran lets it go to the keeper.

Full on middle, Ben Curran pushes it back to the bowler.

Brian Bennett and Zimbabwe are underway! Good-length delivery on off, Bennett drives it off the front foot to the left of short cover to get off the mark.

Back of a length well outside off, Bennett goes for the cut but gets an under edge on it as the ball goes into the ground.

Full on off, Brian Bennett eases the drive from the crease to mid off.

OUT! CAUGHT! THAT WILL BE THE END OF BANGLADESH'S INNINGS! Full on off, Jaker Ali shuffles across a bit and goes for the slog sweep. He gets a lot of air on that one but not the distance, as the deep mid-wicket fielder gets under the high ball and gobbles it up near the boundary. That is a good catch from Nick Welch near the boundary. Blessing Muzarabani finishes with a six-fer to his name. And Zimbabwe have a target of 174 runs!

On a length, around off, Jaker Ali looks to go big, over leg side, but doesn’t quite get it off the middle, as the ball goes along the ground, into the leg side towards deep mid-wicket. They don’t run a single.

Nahid Rana has just blocked that from the crease.

That is defended solidly off the front foot by Rana.

Played towards covers by Nahid Rana.

On a back of a length, on middle, Jaker Ali pulls it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

A loud shout for LBW but turned down! Low full toss, perhaps an attempted yorker, Jaker Ali again walks across to go big over leg side but misses. The ball hits his boot on the full and a loud appeal follows. The umpire is unmoved and Zimbabwe go for the review. The Ball Tracking shows that the impact is outside off and Zimbabwe will lose the review.

SIX! Clean strike! On a length, around off, Jaker Ali walks across his stumps and clobbers it over deep mid-wicket for a biggie.

Hat-trick ball safely negotiated! On a nagging length, on the off stump, Wellington Masakadza prods forward as he defends it off the front foot. End of a successful over for Wellington Masakadza and Zimbabwe!

Nahid Rana is the last batter.

OUT! TAKEN! Two in two for Wellington Masakadza! A golden duck for Khaled Ahmed. Slanting in, on off, on a length, Khaled Ahmed plays for the ball angling into him but it lands and straightens enough to catch the outside edge. It goes straight into the waiting hands of Craig Ervine at first slip, who takes it around his waist. Hat-trick ball coming up. Bangladesh are now 9 wickets down with a lead of 166 runs.

Khaled Ahmed is in now.

OUT! CAUGHT! A rush of blood for Hasan Mahmud and he pays the ultimate price! Nicely tossed up by Wellington Masakadza, loopy delivery, around off. Hasan cannot resist himself and he winds up to go down the ground despite there being a long off in place. Skies it straight up towards long off where Blessing Muzarabani settles under it and takes the skier. Bangladesh are now 248/8, leading by 166 runs.

This turns away, on off, on a nagging length, Hasan Mahmud lunges to keep it out but gets beaten on the outside edge.

This goes straight on, on off, Hasan Mahmud defends inside the line and gets beaten.

Short and on off, Hasan Mahmud dabs it to point.

FOUR! FIFTY! FOR JAKER ALI! Not the most convincing shot but he will take it. This has been an invaluable knock from Jaker but he will know that his team needs more from him. Dug in short, over middle, Jaker is a bit early into the pull and plays it in front of his body. Gets more of a top edge that goes down to the deep fine leg fence for a boundary.

Did that carry? On a back of a length, on off, Hasan Mahmud hangs his bat out to defend. Gets an outside edge that goes low to the right of Sean Williams at second slip. Sean dives as the ball dips on him but he fails to get his hands under the ball to snaffle it. The ball brushes his fingertips and goes behind for a single.

Lands it nice and full, on off, Hasan Mahmud dabs it down the deck.

Serves it on a good length, on off, Hasan defends it close to his body.

Beaten! On a length, in the channel on off, Hasan Mahmud pokes at the delivery but gets away with it.

Hurls it on a length, on off, Jaker pushes it back to the bowler who misfields and concedes a single.

At the stumps, on a nagging length, solidly defended.

The length is pulled back, on middle, Hasan pats it to short mid off.

Sliding on with the arm, at the stumps, Hasan Mahmud gets behind the line and keeps it out.

Tosses it up, on off, Hasan Mahmud gets to the pitch of the ball and blocks it out.

Pushed through, on the shorter side, Hasan goes hard on the cut but misses.

Short and on off, Jaker Ali punches it past cover for a single. The lead is now 160 runs!

Beats the bat! Pitched up and it nibbles away late, around off, Hasan Mahmud is drawn forward in defence but gets beaten on the outside edge.

Outside off, on a length, Hasan Mahmud lets it be.

Oh no! It has started to drizzle and the skies have darkened, but play will continue for now. The ground staff are on standby at the sidelines with the covers, ready to spring into action if needed.

Swing and a miss! A tempter from Victor, on a length, outside off, Hasan Mahmud throws his hands at the delivery but misses.

Jagging back in, on off, on a good length, Hasan Mahmud defends.

Full and on off, Jaker plays it wide of mid off for a single.

Bangs it on a hard length, on off, Jaker Ali gets on top of the bounce and pulls it between deep mid-wicket and long on. Ben Curran is quick across the turf to his left at deep mid-wicket and manages to prevent the boundary with a dive. Flicks the ball towards the converging Richard Ngarava before going over the ropes. Two runs taken.

Gives the ball air and goes full, on middle, Hasan Mahmud nudges it to the right of the bowler.

Aimed at the stumps from around the wicket, on the shorter side, Hasan gets behind the line to dab it down on the off side.

Slower and shorter, on off, Mahmud covers the line and pats it down the deck.

Around off, on a nagging length, Hasan Mahmud stays back to block.

Flat and short, outside off, Hasan chops it down in front of point.

Full, on off, Jaker drives it to the right of cover for a single.

Dug in short, over middle, Hasan Mahmud ducks under it.

Honing in on the off stump, Hasan Mahmud presses forward and keeps it out.

Outside off, full in length, Hasan Mahmud lets it pass.

Sliding onto the pads, on the fuller side, Hasan turns it through square leg for a couple of runs.

An optimistic shout for LBW but turned down! That looked high and seemed to be going down leg too. Seaming back in, on a back of a length, on middle, Hasan Mahmud looks to play it with a straight bat but gets beaten on the inside edge and the ball catches him on the thigh pad.

Banged in short, over off, Jaker Ali pulls it to deep square leg for a single.

Darted in at the stumps, Hasan Mahmud defends it off the front foot.

Floated up, on off, knocked to long off and gets to the other end, does Jaker Ali.

Slows it down, outside off, Hasan drives this full ball to long off for a single.

Short and wide on off, cut away to deep point for a single. Bangladesh's lead is now 150.

Slower through the air, wider on off, Jaker Ali reaches out and pushes it wide of cover but does not take the single.

On off, on a length, Jaker Ali lunges to defend.

This keeps a bit low and seams back in, on off, Hasan Mahmud stays low and keeps it out.

Delivers it on a back of a length, on middle, Hasan Mahmud stabs it down on the leg side.

On a back of a length, on off, Hasan Mahmud solidly blocks it out.

Lands it full, on off, Jaker nudges it in the vacant mid-wicket region and crosses over.

Pushed down leg, a bit full, Jaker misses the tickle.

Nipping back in, on a nagging length, on middle, Jaker misses the flick and wears it on the pads.

Speared in, full and straight, at the stumps, Hasan defends it solidly.

Tossed up, on off, Jaker eases it to long off and takes a single, leaving Hasan Mahmud one ball to face.

A bit more air on this one, on the fuller side, Jaker Ali defends it off the front foot.

On off, on a length, pushed to cover.

Pushed through, on off, Ali knocks it to point.

Floated up, on middle, Jaker Ali lunges to block it out.

DRINKS BREAK! The first half hour went Zimbabwe's way as they picked up three quick wickets to jolt Bangladesh early. However, since then, Jaker Ali and Hasan Mahmud have held firm. A lot now rests on Jaker’s shoulders, and the hosts will be hoping he can help stretch the lead past 200. Richard Ngarava and Blessing Muzarabani were right on the money this morning, and with the pair now taking a breather, it’s up to the change bowlers to maintain the pressure. Zimbabwe, on their part, will be aiming to keep things tight and ideally restrict the lead to under 180.

Full again, on the leg stump, Hasan Mahmud looks to play the flick, but can't get any bat on it as the ball goes through to the wicket-keeper.

Full on middle, Hasan Mahmud flicks it to short mid-wicket.

On a length, on off, Hasan Mahmud solidly defends it off the front foot, back to the bowler.

Full sliding on leg, Jaker Ali flicks this along the ground to deep square leg. This time Jaker Ali takes the single.

There's the wild hoick! Jaker Ali looks to take on this length delivery from Victor Nyauchi as he charges down a bit and swings wildly at it, but he can't get any bat on it as he is beaten on the edge.

Full on leg stump, Jaker Ali flicks it along the ground to deep fine leg, and they won't run as Jaker stays on the striker's end.

Short and well outside off, Hasan Mahmud plays the cut to deep extra cover and the batter won't take a single. Oh, Jaker Ali wants to farm the strike it seems.

Shorter in length around off, Hasan Mahmud defends it off the back foot back to the bowler.

Good length on off, Hasan Mahmud nicely defends it off the front foot.

Tossed up, turning away, outside off, Hasan Mahmud looks to go big as he goes for the lofted hit over the bowler's hand, but he can only connect thin air as the ball goes past his outside edge.

A touch short, turning away, on off, Hasan Mahmud defends it off the back foot.

Tossed up on middle, Jaker Ali pushes it along the ground to long on for a single.

First look at spin today as Wellington Masakadza (8-3-13-0) comes into the attack.

FOUR! Easy pickings! Full toss on middle, Hasan Mahmud flicks it along the ground to the deep mid-wicket region for four. Wow, that was middled nicely. Bangladesh lead by 145 runs.

From round the wicket angling into the right hander just outside off, back of a length, Hasan Mahmud thought of playing at it but withdraws from the shot, last moment as the ball goes through to the keeper.

Half volley on off, Jaker Ali presents the full face of the bat as he drives this down the ground. The mid off fielder goes chasing at it and cuts it off near the boundary as he puts in a good dive right near the boundary and pushes the ball inside the cushions. Good effort from Johnathan Campbell but the batters eventually run three.

Length delivery angling across, just outside off, Richard Ngarava rolled his fingers on that one, possibly a slower delivery, that bounces a bit extra. Jaker Ali is already through the shot as the ball hits his bat handle and goes into the ground.

Full on off, Jaker Ali eases the drive to mid off.

Length ball around off, seaming away just a touch, Jaker Ali defends it off the front foot to mid off.

Uh, oh! Hasan Mahmud has copped a nasty blow on the helmet and the physio is out for the concussion check. Mahmud is fine to resume.

Short ball on middle, Hasan Mahmud looks to duck under it, as the ball hits the helmet and lobs up in the air. Oh, that would have been nasty. A mandatory concussion test will follow as the Zimbabwe fielders, too, are checking up on Hasan Mahmud, asking him if he is okay.

Length ball seaming away, well outside off, Hasan Mahmud doesn't bother chasing it, as he lets it go.

Length ball on middle, Hasan Mahmud presents the full face of the bat as he defends it off the front foot to mid on.

Length ball on off, Hasan Mahmud defends it from the crease, back to the bowler.

On a length on middle, Jaker Ali works it along the ground to deep square leg for a single.

Length ball, seaming away, well outside off, Jaker Ali shuffles across a touch and lets it go.

Good length sliding down the leg side, Hasan Mahmud looks to flick it, but can't get any bat on it as the ball goes through to the wicket-keeper.

On a length on off, Hasan Mahmud nicely defends it back to the bowler.

Good length delivery, angling across the right-hander, Hasan Mahmud leaves it alone.

Short ball aimed at the body, Jaker Ali goes for the pull as he plays it a bit fine to the right of deep fine leg, who collects the ball on two bounces. Single taken.

A touch full, outside off, Jaker Ali again blocks it off the front foot into the off-side.

On a length, outside off, Jaker Ali prods forward and defends it off the front foot.

Blessing Muzarabani goes short on stumps, Hasan Mahmud ducks under it as he leaves it alone.

FOUR! The edge goes through the gully region for a boundary! Some helpful runs for the Bangladeshi Batters. Full, outside off, Hasan Mahmud looks to play the drive and gets a thick outside edge that runs along the ground to the third man boundary for four.

Beaten again! Back of a length moves away a bit, outside off, Hasan Mahmud looks to defend it as he pushes at it a bit and gets beaten on the outside edge.

Back of a length, in the channel outside off, that ball got high on the batter, as it goes past the outside edge of Hasan Mahmud who looks to defend it off the back foot.

Back of a length on the stumps, Hasan Mahmud ducks under it as he leaves it alone.

Back of a length outside off, Jaker Ali pushes it square off the wicket, off the back foot to deep extra cover for a single.

Beaten! Full, just outside off, seaming away just a touch, Hasan Mahmud has no clue about it as he looks to defend it off the front foot and the ball goes past his outside edge.

Full angling across the right hander, in the channel of uncertainty, Hasan Mahmud goes for the drive and gets beaten on the outside edge. Perhaps too good for Hasan Mahmud!

Full on middle-leg, Hasan Mahmud pushes it to mid on.

Hasan Mahmud is the new batter.

OUT! CAUGHT BEHIND! Excellent review from Zimbabwe. Back of a length outside off, Taijul Islam goes for the cut as he throws his bat at that one and he is beaten on the outside edge due to extra bounce from the surface and the bowler's height. Appeal follows and Zimbabwe are going for the review. Third umpire on screen. There's a spike on UltraEdge as the ball passes the bat, and the on-field decision will be changed. Taijul Islam has to go. Richard Ngarava has bowled well, and he has rightfully got his first wicket of this game. Bangladesh are now 213/7, leading by 131 runs.

Short ball on middle, Jaker Ali does well to work it behind square on the leg side all along the ground for a single. He took the top hand off the handle to keep it down in the end.

Length ball on the middle stump, Jaker Ali nicely gets behind the line of the ball as he defends it to mid on.

Back of a length outside off, Jaker Ali plays the push off the back foot, through the off side towards deep extra cover for a single to keep the strike.

Length ball outside off, Jaker Ali walks across a touch to cover the line and lets it go.

Full outside off, Taijul Islam plays the push drive to the left of short cover for a single.

Good length delivery just outside off, Taijul Islam defends it off the back foot into the off side as the ball hits the inside half of his bat.

Taijul Islam walks out to bat.

OUT! CAUGHT! FIVE WICKETS FOR BLESSING! This is what I was talking about on the last ball! Back of a length delivery on middle stump, Mehidy Hasan Miraz closes his bat as he looks to work it into the leg side, the ball takes the outside edge and goes straight to Brian Bennett at gully, who takes a rather easy catch. Blessing Muzarabani, the bowler, is chuffed to bits as he jumps in the air with joy. Bangladesh lose their 6th wicket with a lead of 128 runs.

Length ball on middle, Mehidy Hasan Miraz defends it from the crease as it seemed like he wanted to flick it, but ends up defending it as the line was not on the leg side. That one stayed low too!

Short on the body, Jaker Ali leaves it alone as he ducks under it.

Fullish delivery, outside off, again angling across the right hander, Jaker Ali walks across a bit to cover the line of the ball and eventually lets it go.

Full this time, outside off, Mehidy Hasan Miraz drives this off the front foot to deep extra cover for a single.

Beaten! Some seam movement and some extra bounce! On a length, seaming away, in the corridor of uncertainty, Mehidy Hasan Miraz is not sure whether to play it or not as he withdraws his bat at the last moment and the ball whizzles past his outside edge through to the wicket-keeper.

A touch fuller this time on middle, Jaker Ali flicks this one along the ground to the right of deep square leg for a single. The lead is now 127 runs.

On a length angling across the right hander, Jaker Ali leaves it alone.

SIX! Shot of the morning! Or perhaps the best shot of this Test match, is it? That will hurt Blessing Muzarabani, who has bowled so well. Back-of-a-length delivery on off stump, Mehidy Hasan Miraz was prepared for it as he pulls this one over deep square leg for a six. He middled it with perfection.

Length ball, seaming into the right hander, on middle-leg, Mehidy Hasan Miraz pats it towards mid on.

Blessing Muzarabani goes short on middle, Jaker Ali this time middles the pull shot as he hits it on two bounces to the deep square leg fielder. Single taken.

On a length on off, Jaker Ali goes for the pull but can't connect as the ball takes the inside edge and hits his thigh pad. Perhaps the ball wasn't short enough for the pull.

Full, just outside off, Jaker Ali gently plays the push drive through covers and picks up two runs as the mid off fielder cuts it off.

Good-length delivery, outside off, Jaker Ali leans forward and pushes it off the front foot, into the off-side.

WOW! Beaten for the second time in this over is Mehidy Hasan Miraz! Richard Ngarava has started hitting the straps from the 1st over. This is a length delivery seaming away from the right hander, in the channel outside off, Mehidy Hasan Miraz goes feeling for it as he was a bit uncertain about the movement. The ball goes past the outside edge.

Good length, outside off, Mehidy Hasan Miraz drives it off the back foot to short cover. No run.

Richard Ngarava goes short on middle stump, Mehidy Hasan Miraz ducks under it as he lets this one go.

Length delivery, just outside off, in the channel of uncertainty, Mehidy Hasan Miraz this time lets it go as he shoulders his arms to that one.

Beaten! Again full and angling across, Mehidy Hasan Miraz looks to play the drive as he swings through the line, the ball beats the outside edge on it's way to the keeper. Mehidy Hasan Miraz is looking to be positive here.

On a length, angling across the right hander, just outside off, Jaker Ali leans forward and drives this along the ground to deep extra cover for a single.

Who will bowl from the other end? It will be Richard Ngarava.

On a length on middle, Mehidy Hasan Miraz defends it into the ground. No run.

FOUR! Mehidy Hasan Miraz is off the mark! Blessing Muzarabani goes for the bluff. Full-length delivery, with a short ball field, Mehidy Hasan Miraz is prepared as he plays the drive uppishly in the vacant deep extra cover region for four.

Short ball just outside off, Mehidy Hasan Miraz ducks under it, as he lets it go.

Length ball on off, Mehidy Hasan Miraz defends it off the crease as the ball goes into the off side.

Mehidy Hasan Miraz walks out to the centre.

OUT! IN THE AIR AND TAKEN! Blessing Muzarabani strikes with his second ball and this is an ideal start for Zimbabwe. Blessing bends his back and digs it in short, over middle, Najmul Hossain Shanto tries to take the short ball on but the ball gets big on him. The ball catches the top edge and it goes straight up towards deep fine leg where Victor Nyauchi runs to his left and dives ahead to gobble it. Shanto falls for 60 (105). Bangladesh are now 194/5, leading by 112 runs.

Blessing Muzarabani steams in from around the wicket and gets the yorker in, on off, Najmul Hossain Shanto jams it out.

We are all set to get going. The two umpires and players have made their way out to the centre. The sun is out, which is a good sign. Blessing Muzarabani will kickstart proceedings with the ball. Here we go!

UPDATE - 4.27 am GMT - Good news! The match officials are satisfied with the ground conditions, and if there’s no further rain, play is set to commence at 5 am GMT. Here are the revised session timings for the day. The first session will run from 5 am GMT to 7 am GMT, followed by the second session, which will commence at 7.40 am GMT and continue until 9.40 am GMT. The third and final session of the day will start at 10 am GMT and conclude at 11.45 am GMT. Of course, all these timings are subject to weather and light conditions permitting. Let’s hope for uninterrupted play.

UPDATE - 4.18 am GMT - The ground staff continue to work tirelessly to get the field ready, but a patch down the ground remains a major area of concern. We are still awaiting the result of the inspection. We will keep you posted.

UPDATE - 3.37 am GMT - Well, we are hearing that there will be a delayed start to Day 4. It is not raining at the moment, but heavy overnight rain has left the outfield damp, and the ground staff need more time to get the ground ready for play. An inspection will take place at 4 am GMT. Stay tuned.

Zimbabwe will feel that they should have taken a wicket or two more, with the kind of assistance available from the pitch, especially their spinners, who failed to take wickets, as the home side ended the day with their noses ahead. So, the visitors will look for some early inroads and would want to restrict Bangladesh under a lead of 200. On the other hand, for Bangladesh, they would want this current partnership to flourish more. The presence of captain Najmul Hossain Shanto will give them a lot of confidence, but the margin for error will be less, as they are just two wickets away from getting into the tailenders. So, stick around, as the first ball on day 4 is not far away.

Bangladesh won a major part of Day 3, as they wiped out the remaining deficit and got into the lead with minimal damage. Mahmudul Hasan Joy fell at the start of the day, adding just five runs to his overnight total. Then we saw a healthy partnership of 65 runs between captain Najmul Hossain Shanto and Mominul Haque as the home side got into the lead. After that, Mushfiqur Rahim, too, fell early as the home side was reduced to an effective score of 73/4. In the 3rd session, though, Jaker Ali and Najmul Hossain Shanto batted with caution and put away anything loose, as they both stitched together an unbeaten 39-run stand before bad light stopped play.

Hello, one and all, and welcome to Day 4 of the opening test between Bangladesh and Zimbabwe at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium. Yesterday, only 44 overs were bowled as rain had a major say, as the first session was washed out. Today, too, rain is expected to play a bit of a spoilsport as the weather forecast reads. Bangladesh are currently leading by 112 runs with 6 wickets in hand, and one feels that the home team is slightly ahead, as they will be bowling last on this bowling-friendly wicket. However, the visitors won’t be disheartened much, as some quick early wickets today can immediately shift the pressure back on the home team. There is enough help from the wicket, and this entire Test match has been a seesaw battle, with the pendulum swinging from one team to the other.

... DAY 4, SESSION 1 ...

Right then, three days of the Test are in the books with two days still to go. Neither side holds a clear advantage at the moment, and both are still jostling to gain the upper hand. Since we lost the entire first session on Day 3 and a good chunk of the final session as well, there’s a possibility of an early start on Day 4 to make up for the lost time. However, the forecast for Day 4 isn’t too encouraging either, with rain predicted once again. Fingers crossed the weather holds up, and we get as much play as possible. Until then, take care and goodbye!

Bangladesh went into the break with a 73-run lead, and Zimbabwe had their tails up. Najmul Hossain Shanto and Jaker Ali then came together and forged a steady partnership, aided in some ways by the ball getting older. The pair extended the lead to 112 runs before bad light brought an abrupt end to the day. As the tourists reflect on the day, they will be left ruing a missed opportunity when the keeper Nyasha Mayavo dropped Shanto on 26.

That's it for the day! It’s STUMPS on Day 3. The moving day promised much more, but rain early on and later bad light allowed only 44 overs of play. The first session was washed out, but the next two sessions saw an arm-wrestle unfold. Zimbabwe made a strong start, with Blessing Muzarabani and Richard Ngarava finding the right areas, with Muzarabani striking to dismiss Mahmudul Hasan Joy. Najmul Hossain Shanto responded with positive intent, and suddenly the runs began to flow for the home side. However, Zimbabwe bounced back with a couple of key breakthroughs to finish the session on a high.

UPDATE - 10.45 am GMT - Oh, that's frustrating! The players are going off the field due to bad light, with the light meter coming into play early. The match officials have decided that the light isn’t good enough to continue. Given the gloomy weather, it seems unlikely that the light will improve. We will have to wait and see if there’s any chance of play resuming.

Floated up, on off, Jaker Ali pushes it to cover.

Full and wide outside off, Jaker Ali leaves it alone.

Full on off, Jaker Ali prods forward and defends it into the ground.

Short this time on off, Jaker Ali punches it off the back foot to short cover.

A touch fuller, on off, Jaker Ali plays it off the front foot to catching mid off.

Good length orthodox delivery, on off, Jaker Ali nicely comes forward and defends it back to the bowler.

A bit fuller, around the sixth stump. Jaker Ali covers the stump, prods halfway and opens the face of his bat a bit to steer the ball wide of the gully fielder for a single.

Another good-length delivery just outside off, and again Jaker Ali shuffles to defend it from the crease.

Back of a length, just outside off. Jaker Ali covers the stump and dabs it down the track.

Hard-length delivery, on the pads of the batter. Najmul Hossain Shanto attempts to knock it back to the bowler but the ball catches the inside edge and rolls toward fine leg for one.

On a length, once again, on middle and leg. Najmul Hossain Shanto stays back and nudges it toward mid on.

Good-length delivery, shaping in, pitching around off. Najmul Hossain Shanto punches it toward mid on.

Fuller, on off. Jaker Ali keeps it out.

Fullish, around off. Jaker Ali eases it toward cover.

Tossed up, fuller, at the stumps. Jaker Ali lunges and defends the delivery.

Short, on off and middle. Jaker Ali stabs it to cover.

An appeal for LBW but turned down! Wellington Masakadza bowls it touch fuller, outside off, Jaker Ali pads it away. The ball was not doing enough to hit the stumps.

Short, just outside off. Jaker Ali camps back and pushes it toward off side.

Bangs another short one, on middle, shaping it down the leg. Najmul Hossain Shanto attempts a full-fledged pull but misses on the inner edge.

Back of a length, on off and middle. Jaker Ali pulls this one toward deep fine leg for one.

Hard-length delivery, wide outside off. Jaker Ali lifts his willow up and is unbothered to offer any shot to it.

Back of a length, outside off. Jaker Ali shoulders arms.

Fuller, just outside off. Jaker Ali strides out and rests it down the track.

Full-length delivery from Richard Ngarava, just outside off. Najmul Hossain Shanto works it across the line toward deep square leg for a single.

Flighted, on off. Jaker Ali blocks it off the front foot.

Drags his length back once again, on middle and leg with some pace. Jaker Ali hangs back and nudges it toward short mid-wicket.

Short, on off. Jaker Ali punches it back to the bowler.

Fullish, on off. Jaker Ali prods and blocks it toward his off side solidly.

Tossed up, around off. Jaker Ali eases it toward cover.

Short, outside off, good bounce off the track. Jaker Ali reacts well, rides the bounce and keeps it out.

Short, on off. Jaker Ali transfers his weight to his backfoot and performs a pull shot toward the left of the deep square leg fielder to rotate the strike.

Digs another short one, around the sixth stump. Jaker Ali rocks back and defends it away.

Back of a length, just outside off. Jaker Ali stays deep inside the crease and hops to block it from the inner half of his bat toward his off side.

Good-length delivery, angling across, Jaker Ali shuffles to cover the stump and withdraws his willow to offer no shot.

Much fuller, on off. Jaker Ali keeps it out.

On a length, pitches it outside off but shapes it in towards the off stump. Najmul Hossain Shanto covers the stump and tucks it toward deep fine leg to rotate the strike.

Fuller, on middle and leg. Jaker Ali makes a bit of room to push it toward cover.

Flighted, at the stumps. Jaker Ali defends it right under his eyes.

Fuller, on off. Jaker Ali knocks it back to the bowler.

Pitches it up, on middle, angling it in. Shanto nudges it toward long on for one.

Tossed up, on off. Najmul Hossain Shanto lunges and blocks it back to the bowler.

Huge appeal for LBW but turned down! Short of a length, pitching it on off and middle, turning it in. Najmul Hossain Shanto hangs back and looks to flick it but wears on his thigh pad.

Another harmless delivery, pushed across the batter. Jaker Ali is happy to let it go.

Richard Ngarava goes full but not close enough to make the batter play, Jaker Ali makes an easy leave.

On the shorter side, on off, Jaker Ali lets it pass.

On a good length, going away, Jaker Ali offers no shot.

Slanted across from over the wicket, on a length, Jaker Ali lets it be.

On a back of a length, on middle, Najmul Hossain Shanto pulls it to deep square leg for a single.

Darted in, on off, Jaker Ali defends it off the front foot.

A bit too straight, on the pads, Najmul Hossain Shanto helps it to deep fine leg for another single.

Tossed up, on middle, Najmul Hossain Shanto turns it to mid-wicket.

Najmul Hossain Shanto goes back to a full delivery but manages to keep it out.

Slower and fuller, on off, Ali knocks it wide of cover for a single.

On the pads, on a length, Shanto glances it down to deep fine leg for one.

Another full delivery pushed across the batter, Jaker Ali watchully makes a leave.

Not close enough to make the batter play, well outside off, Ali lets it pass.

On a short of a length, on off, Jaker pushes it to point.

Going across the batter, Jaker Ali lets it be.

Bye! Sprayed down leg, on a length, Najmul Hossain Shanto misses the tickle. The keeper, Nyasha Mayavo, does well to reach out and get a glove on it. The ball gets parried away off his gloves for a bye.

Banged in short, on off, Jaker Ali drags the pull towards mid-wicket for a single. Bangladesh now lead by 100 runs!

Full and on off, Shanto plays it back to the bowler.

Short and turning in, on middle, Najmul Hossain Shanto stabs it down on the leg side.

Short and on off, Najmul Hossain Shanto pats it back to the bowler.

At the stumps, on a length, defended.

FOUR! And that will be FIFTY for Najmul Hossain Shanto! An enterprising knock from the Bangladesh skipper. He will want to convert this into a big score to put his side into a position of strength. Floated up, on off, Shanto strides forward and creams the drive past mid off for a boundary.

Short and on middle, Najmul Hossain Shanto tucks it to short leg on the bounce.

A sharp and quick bumper, on off, Jaker Ali sways away.

FOUR! Off the edge but Jaker Ali will take it! On a back of a length, on off, Jaker Ali gets on his toes and tries to defend it with soft hands. Gets it off the outer half and it races past gully for a boundary.

Drags the length back, on middle, Jaker Ali keeps it out on the leg side.

FOUR! Almost dragged it back onto the stumps! In the channel on off, on a good length, Jaker Ali shuffles and covers his off stump. Makes a late decision to leave the ball but leaves his bat hanging. The ball comes off the bottom half of the bat and sneaks past the stumps. Beats the keeper to his left for a boundary. The lead is now 91 runs!

On a shortish length, on middle, Shanto hops and tucks it to mid-wicket for one.

Bashes the hard length, on off, Najmul Hossain Shanto rides the bounce and stabs it down on the off side.

On off, on a length, blocked out off the front foot by Ali.

On the fuller side, Najmul Hossain Shanto eases it to long on for a single.

Short and on middle, Najmul Hossain Shanto nudges it off the back foot to short leg.

Speared in, on a nagging length, well kept out.

Floated up, on off, Shanto plays it back to the bowler.

Tossed up, on middle, Najmul Hossain Shanto gets his bat out in front to defend.

Bangs it in short, over middle, Jaker ducks under it.

Hurls it on a good length, on off, Jaker covers the line and keeps it out.

Short and wide on off, slapped along the ground to deep backward point for a single.

Leg bye! Sliding onto the pads, on a short of a length, Ali misses the tickle. The ball goes off the pads towards backward square leg for a leg bye.

FOUR! Nicely done! At the stumps, on a length, Jaker shuffles again and clips it through square leg for a boundary.

Oh, that could have gone anywhere! Lands it on a length, on off, Jaker walks across his stumps and ends up defending in front of the body. The ball kicks off from that length and catches the shoulder of the bat. It lobs but goes through the vacant gully region. Two runs taken.

On middle and leg, on the fuller side, Jaker sweeps it past short leg for a run.

Fuller and slower, on middle, eased to long on for one more.

Tossed up, on middle, clipped to mid-wicket by Shanto.

Short and around off, Jaker punches it to deep point for a single to get off the mark.

Pushed through, on off, defended.

Floated up, on middle, knocked to long on for a single.

Pitched up, on off, Jaker Ali leans forward to block but gets it off the outer half to backward point.

Starts with a full ball, on off, Jaker Ali shuffles across and defends.

We are all set for the third session to start. Craig Ervine and his men have made their way out to the middle. Jaker Ali joins Najmul Hossain Shanto out in the middle. Blessing Muzarabani will finish his over. Let's play...

... DAY 3, SESSION 3 ...

The steep bounce extracted by the tall Zimbabwean pacers has been tough to negotiate for the home side, who now hold a 73-run lead with 6 wickets in hand. A lot will rest on Shanto’s shoulders going forward. Zimbabwe have their tails up and will be eyeing a few quick breakthroughs to tilt the balance further in their favour. Play can continue until 12 pm GMT, provided the light holds up. The third and final session is coming up shortly.

Zimbabwe bossed the early exchanges in the second session as Blessing Muzarabani and Richard Ngarava hit their straps straight away. Mahmudul Hasan Joy fell to the short-ball ploy but Najmul Hossain Shanto made his intentions clear from the get-go and landed a counterpunch with some fluent strokeplay. The change bowlers, Victor Nyauchi and Wessly Madhevere, initially lacked the incision to break through, but Victor eventually managed to find the edge of Mominul Haque to break the partnership.

SESSION SUMMARY - 28.4 overs, 98 runs and 3 wickets. Zimbabwe end the session on a high and will head into the break feeling much better about their position. They thoroughly deserved the rewards for their disciplined bowling, with Blessing Muzarabani standing out once again. Bangladesh, on the other hand, will be gutted to have lost Mushfiqur Rahim right on the stroke of Tea. The hosts now have it all to do when they return for the final session.

OUT! CAUGHT! CAUGHT IN SLIPS! Mushfiqur Rahim has to go. This is a length delivery that angles into the right hander in the corridor of uncertainty. Mushfiqur Rahim standing deep in his crease has a feel for it as he pokes at that one. The ball takes the outside edge and goes straight into the hands of the first slip fielder at a very nice height. Craig Ervine makes no mistake as he takes the catch. Perhaps the extra bounce did the trick for Blessing Muzarabani. And with that wicket, the players will take the Tea break on Day 3.

There's the surprise full length delivery, but Blessing Muzarabani errs in his line as he pushes this one down the leg side. Mushfiqur Rahim looks to play the flick but can't get any bat on it.

Length ball that seams into the right hander a bit, around off, Mushfiqur Rahim plays the block towards short cover.

Short and just outside off, Mushfiqur Rahim leaves it alone as he drops his hands.

Good length off break, turning into the right hander, on leg stump, Mushfiqur Rahim does well to work it wide of the forward short leg fielder. The ball goes towards deep square leg region. Single taken.

Short on middle, Najmul Hossain Shanto works it off the back foot into the leg side and takes a single.

A touch short again, around off, Najmul Hossain Shanto gets right behind the line of the ball as he defends it off the back foot, back to the bowler.

Short on middle, Shanto blocks it off the back foot.

On a length, on off, Najmul Hossain Shanto defends it into the leg side.

Slower through the air, short and wide outside off, Najmul Hossain Shanto swings through the line but finds short cover. That should have been put away.

A touch fuller, angling into the right hander, Mushfiqur Rahim defends it with minmal foot movement towards mid off. End of the over.

Good length delivery that rises sharply as it hits Mushfiqur Rahim's gloves and goes into the ground.

Length ball on middle, Mushfiqur Rahim defends it to forward short leg on the bounce.

Length ball on middle, Mushfiqur Rahim defends it from deep within the crease, off the back foot as he takes one hand off the handle. Perhaps Mushfiqur Rahim is expecting every ball to be a short ball and hence he is standing deep in his crease.

Short ball on middle stump, Mushfiqur Rahim ducks under it as he lets it go.

Back of a length, that seams into the right hander sharply, on middle-leg stump, Mushfiqur Rahim does well to defend it into the ground. Because remember there's a forward short leg in place for him.

A brief hold-up in play as the physio comes out to attend to Najmul Hossain Shanto, who appears to be experiencing some discomfort in his right shoulder. The blow he took earlier on the helmet was, in fact, a glancing one that also struck the shoulder. Out comes the magic spray. Shanto is ready to continue.

A touch flatter, off break on off stump, Najmul Hossain Shanto again blocks it off the front foot. End of the over.

Length off break, just outside off, Najmul Hossain Shanto nicely plays it off the front foot to mid off.

Full on middle, Najmul Hossain Shanto brings out the sweep as he sweeps this one fine, to the left of deep backward square leg for two runs.

Full off break on off, Mushfiqur Rahim leans forward and pushes it to the left of short cover for a single.

length delivery, on middle-leg, Mushfiqur Rahim looks to work it into the leg side, but gets a bit of glove on it and wears it on his thigh pads.

Short and sliding down leg, Mushfiqur Rahim lets it go.

Short ball on the body line, Najmul Hossain Shanto does well to hop and defend the ball into the ground. End of a very good over from Blessing Muzarabani!

Back of a length delivery, just outside off, this time Shanto defends it off the back foot as he gets right behind the line of the ball.

FOUR! IS THAT A DROP? Back of a length delivery, angling into the left-hander, which straightens after pitching, Najmul Hossain Shanto pokes at it as he gets an outside edge that flies to the left of the diving second slip fielder and goes to the boundary. Sean Williams at second slip did put in a good dive, but alas, only managed to get fingertips to it.

Length ball, well outside off, Najmul Hossain Shanto is happy letting it go.

Halt! Najmul Hossain Shanto has copped a blow on the helmet, and the physio is out for the concussion assessment. The check is complete and Shanto looks fine to resume.

THAT WILL WAKE UP SHANTO! Short ball targetting the body, Najmul Hossain Shanto tries to get out of the way by ducking under it, but the ball hits the helmet and goes into the leg side. Mandatory concussion test follows!

Length ball, well outside off, Najmul Hossain Shanto leaves it alone.

Back of a length delivery, in the channel outside off, Mushfiqur Rahim pushes it off the back foot to the point fielder.

Full on off, Mushfiqur Rahim nicely comes forward and knocks it towards the mid off fielder.

A touch full, on middle, Najmul Hossain Shanto flicks this one towards deep mid-wicket for a single.

Length ball, just outside off, Mushfiqur Rahim leans forward and eases it to the right of the gully fielder and takes a single.

On a length angling into the right hander, Mushfiqur Rahim defends it off the back foot back to the bowler.

Length delivery on off, Mushfiqur Rahim gets behind the line of the ball and pats it towards catching mid off.

A touch shorter on middle-leg, Wessly Madhevere works it off the back foot to the right of short mid-wicket for a single.

Full on middle, Najmul Hossain Shanto pushes it to the right of mid on and takes a single.

Full again, outside off, Najmul Hossain Shanto prods forward and blocks it.

Full and outside off, Najmul Hossain Shanto blocks it off the front foot.

FOUR BYES! Oh, hello! That one has spun a mile! On a length, off break, outside off, inviting the batter to come forward. Najmul Hossain Shanto leans forward to play the front foot defence, as the ball goes past his outside edge and sneaks through the small gap between the wicket-keeper and the first slip to go to the fence.

Full around off, Najmul Hossain Shanto leans forward and defends it into the off side.

Mushfiqur Rahim is in next.

OUT! CAUGHT! Victor Nyauchi breaks through for Zimbabwe! Back-of-a-length delivery around off stump, that straightens a bit after pitching and also rises on Mominul Haque, who is surprised by the extra bounce. The ball takes the outside edge and goes to the left of the wicket keeper, Nyasha Mayavo, who takes a fairly easy catch. Mominul departs for 47 (84). Bangladesh are now 138/3, leading by 56 runs.

Back of a length on middle, Najmul Hossain Shanto hops on the back foot as he pushes the ball into the leg side to the left of catching mid on and takes a single.

Beaten! Length ball that straightens after pitching around off stump, as it whizzles past the poking blade of Najmul Hossain Shanto. That ball was very close to the edge.

Length ball on middle, Najmul Hossain Shanto flicks it along the ground, behind square, to deep fine leg region and picks up two runs, as the deep fine leg fielder runs to his left and cuts it off.

Back of a length, well outside off, Mominul Haque flashes at it as he cuts it just past the flying point fielder. The deep backward point fielder cuts it off near the boundary. Single taken.

On a length, well outside off, Mominul Haque doesn't offer any shot to that one.

Floated up, on off, Shanto pushes it back to Wessly.

Speared in, on middle, Najmul Hossain Shanto defends.

Looped up, on middle, Najmul Hossain Shanto presents a straight bat to keep it out.

Full delivery, given a lot of air, outside off, Najmul Hossain Shanto blocks it off the front foot.

Tossed up, full, on leg stump, Shanto defends it off the front foot.

Tossed up around off, Najmul Hossain Shanto punches it off the back foot into the off side. No run.

A touch full, angling in again, Mominul Haque leans forward to defend it off the front foot, as the ball takes the inner half of his bat and goes into the leg side.

Oh! A length ball that comes back into the left hander, Mominul Haque looks to leave it as he puts his front foot out. The ball hits his gloves and lobs into the air, but thankfully for the batter, it lands safely.

Back of a length, angling into the left hander, around off, Mominul Haque punches it off the back foot as the ball hits high on his bat. The ball rolls down towards short cover.

On a length on off, Mominul Haque defends it off the front foot to point fielder.

A touch fuller, in the channel outside off, Mominul Haque leaves it alone. Good leave, that from Mominul Haque. And good from Victor Nyauchi as well to get the line a bit straighter.

On a length seaming away, just a touch, but again the line is well outside off, Mominul Haque leaves it alone.

Again a touch short, outside off, Mominul Haque cuts it fiercely, along the ground, straight to deep extra cover for a single to keep the strike.

Short and outside off, Najmul Hossain Shanto punches this one off the back foot, along the ground to deep extra cover for a single.

A touch flat and outside off, Mominul Haque drives it off the front foot through extra covers for a single. The fielder from deep extra cover runs to his left and cuts it off.

Full length off break around off stump, Mominul Haque defends it off the front foot as he leans forward.

A touch fuller on off, Mominul Haque flicks it to mid on. No run.

Oh! Turn and bounce for Wessly Madhevere! Slower through the air, short in length spinning away from the left hander, Mominul Haque looks to cut it, but is surprised by the extra bounce as the ball takes the top edge and runs down to third man. Two runs taken.

Full and wide outside off, Najmul Hossain Shanto carefully watches it, as he lets it go through to the keeper. Maiden over that! But tell you what, Victor Nyauchi's got to make the batters play at the deliveries.

Length ball, well outside off, Najmul Hossain Shanto shoulders his arms to that one.

A touch fuller angling into the left hander on off, Najmul Hossain Shanto drives it back to the bowler.

Full length moving into the left hander this time, but the line is wide outside off, Najmul Hossain Shanto leaves it alone. Victor Nyauchi's got to get his line right here.

Again full and moving away from the left hander, the line is too wide again, and Najmul Hossain Shanto is not concerned about it as he lets it go.

Full moving away, well outside off, Najmul Hossain Shanto leaves it alone.

FOUR! Excellent shot from Mominul Haque! Tossed up, fuller, on leg. Mominul Haque gets down on one knee and sweeps it toward the deep fine leg fence to get another boundary. 11 runs from the over. Bangladesh lead by 47 runs!

Tossed up, on off. Mominul Haque prods and pushes it away .

FOUR! SHOT! Runs are coming thick and fast for Bangladesh! Short, outside off. Mominul Haque slaps it late to the right of the deep point fielder for four runs.

Not the cleanest of hits, but any kind of runs will work for the Tigers! Flatter and fuller, on leg. Mominul Haque sweeps it a bit uppishly toward deep square leg for a couple of runs.

Another short delivery, outside off. Najmul Hossain Shanto cuts it hard to deep point for a single.

Shortish, on middle. Najmul Hossain Shanto punches it toward mid on.

DRINKS BREAK! It’s been a riveting passage of play so far. Zimbabwe were on top for the first 40 minutes, but since the arrival of Najmul Hossain Shanto, the momentum has well and truly shifted. The left-hander has come out with positive intent, putting away anything loose, and the runs have started to flow nicely for Bangladesh. The tourists will be ruing the missed opportunity of dropping Shanto on 26.

Pitches it up, on the pads of the batter. Shanto clips it toward deep fine leg for a single.

Shorten his length once again, just outside off. Mominul Haque stands tall and opens the face of his blade toward deep point for a single.

Pitches it up, on leg. Najmul Hossain Shanto tucks it toward deep fine leg for one.

A bit fuller now, on middle, angling it in. Najmul Hossain Shanto shuffles a bit across the stump and brings out his solid defense toward short mid on.

Back of a length, around the hips of the batter. Shanto eases it toward his leg side.

On a length, on middle, shaping in. Najmul Hossain Shanto works it toward short mid-wicket.

Drags his length back, on middle. Najmul Hossain Shanto holds back and nudges it wide of the mid on fielder for one.

Tad fuller, around off. Mominul Haque fends it toward cover-point for one.

Fuller, on off. Mominul Haque keeps it out.

Touch fuller, pitching it just outside off. Mominul Haque camps back, thinking the ball might turn away and he can go for a cut but the ball keeps straight. Haque does well to drop his willow down quickly and chops it past backward point for a couple.

Fuller, on off. Mominul Haque prods and pushes it toward short cover for no runs.

Tossed up, fuller, just outside off. Mominul Haque pushes it toward cover-point.

On a length, once again around off. Najmul Hossain Shanto rocks back and blocks it away.

Hard-length delivery, well wide outside off, Najmul Hossain Shanto goes deep inside the crease amd knocks it toward cover.

Back of a length from Victor Nyauchi, outside off. Mominul Haque steers it past backward point for one.

Short of a length, just outside off. Mominul Haque stabs it toward cover.

Back of a length, around off. Mominul Haque pushes it toward his off side.

On a length, on middle, angling it in. Mominul Haque rocks back and looks to work it off, but misses and wears it on his thigh pad.

Tossed up, wide outside off. Mominul Haque drives it gently toward the cover region for one.

Flatter and fuller, on off. Mominul Haque keeps it out.

Pitches it up, at the stumps. Najmul Hossain Shanto pushes it toward long off for a single.

DROPPED! Nyasha Mayavo puts another down! Wessly Madhevere bowls it fuller, pitching it just outside off and drifting it away from the batter. Najmul Hossain Shanto lunges and tries to push it away on the off side. The ball grazes the outside edge but Mayavo fails to hold on.

Tossed up, on off. Najmul Hossain Shanto eases it back to the bowler.

Fuller, outside off. Mominul Haque lunges and looks to drive but catches the outside edge. The ball rolls toward the deep backward point fence. The fielder in the point region has a chase and cuts it off to three runs.

On a length, angling across the left hander. Najmul Hossain Shanto shoulders arms.

FOUR! That is a delightful shot! Exquisite from the skipper of Bangladesh! Victor Nyauchi comes from over the wicket and bowls it fuller, on middle, angling it toward off stump. Shanto strides out, leans on the delivery and drives it past the bowler. The ball rolls away toward the long on fence for four runs.

Back of a length, on middle and off. Shanto rides the bounce and defends it toward his leg side.

Fullish, on middle. Najmul Hossain Shanto drives it back to the bowler.

Good-length delivery, pitching on off and angling it away from the left hander. Najmul Hossain Shanto makes a leave.

Victor Nyauchi comes from over the wicket and bowls it touch fuller outside off. Mominul Haque lunges and knocks it towards the vacant cover region for a single.

Another bumper, around the chest of the batter. Najmul Hossain Shanto hops a bit and dabs it down the track.

Short, on middle. Najmul Hossain Shanto ducks under it.

100 up for Bangladesh! On a length, outside off. Najmul Hossain Shanto plants his front foot towards the delivery and goes over mid off. The timing of the shot is not perfect, and therefore the ball does not have enough legs to reach the fence. The batters run a couple of runs between the wickets.

Pitches it up, on off and middle. Najmul Hossain Shanto blocks it down.

FOUR! Najmul Hossain Shanto is on fire! The shot defines the confidence he's having right now! Blessing Muzarabani bangs a short one, wide outside off. Shanto trusts the bounce and width of the delivery, and cuts it uppishly over the cover region to get another boundary. The lead is now 16 runs.

Back of a length, on off and middle. Najmul Hossain Shanto tucks it toward mid on.

Pitches it up, on off, angling it in. Mominul Haque pushes it toward mid off for no run.

Short of a length, outside off. Mominul Haque looks to stab it but gets beaten on the outer edge.

Fuller, on middle. Najmul Hossain Shanto nudges it toward mid-wicket for one.

FOUR! More runs for Najmul Hossain Shanto! Ngarava bowls much fuller, on middle, angling it in. Najmul Hossain Shanto flicks it swiftly off the pads. The ball zips past the deep square leg fielder for four more runs.