Tigers finish day 1 on top after early upheaval

Despite picking up two wickets late in the day, Bangladesh were the clear winners of the last two sessions courtesy of Mominul Haque's 161 and Mushfiqur Rahman's unbeaten 111 as the Tigers finished the first day of the second Test with five down for 303 runs at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur.

Zimbabwe had threatened to take control of the second Test with three wickets in the first session before Mominul and Mushfiqur took control with a 266-run fourth-wicket partnership -- the highest partnership for Bangladesh in Test cricket at Mirpur's Sher-e-Bangla Stadium, before Mominul feel to a soft dismissal off the bowling of Tripiano. Night watchman Taijul Islam with a little more than four overs remaining on the day but he became Kyle Jarvis's third victim of the day as the Tigers lost five wickets at close. Mahmudullah Riyad was accompanying Mushfiqur at the crease when play came to an end. 

Mushy strikes sixth ton after Mominul's seventh

Bangladesh 259/3, Mominul 137*, Mushfiqur 101*

Following Mominul Haque's seventh Test hundred, it was Mushfiqur Rahim's turn to hit ton and the right-hander picked up his sixth Test ton as Bangladesh recovered from a stuttering start in the morning session to build towards a strong innings in the second session of the first Test at Dhaka.

The left-hander dispatched a Sikandar Raza full-toss to the mid-wicket boundary in the 55th over to complete his ton, an innings laced with 12 fours. Mushfiqur Rahim at the other end is batting on a solid 71-run innings. The pair put on 181 runs for the fourth wicket -- highest fourth-wicket partnership for Bangladesh in Tests while Bangladesh added 151 runs in just 32 overs as the teams went to Tea on Day 1.

Mominul, Mushy rebuild after early wickets

Mominul Haque and Mushfiqur Rahim continued rebuilding the innings for the Tigers as the pair contributed with a 50 plus partnership with Mominul reaching his fifty as Bangladesh score crossed the 100-run mark.

Mominul's knock contains seven fours while Mushfiqur at the other end is unbeaten on 51 as the Tigers have looked increasingly comfortable after lunch. The pair has put on 115 for the fourth-wicket so far with Bangladesh picking up the scoring rate with 85 runs from 18 overs.

Mominul Haque and Mushfiqur Rahim. Photo: Firoz Ahmed

Lunch: Tigers in early trouble

Bangladesh 56/3, Mominul 25*, Mushfiqur 12*

Bangladesh have lost three early wickets in the morning session of the second Test inside 12 overs as Zimbabwe came out roaring with the ball after losing the toss. Mushfiqur Rahim and Mominul Haque stood guard after early losses to take Bangladesh to 56/3 at lunch.

It was a difficult session for the Tigers as Zimbabwe bowled with fire, maintaining good line and length. The wicket provided good carry and movement as Bangladesh lost three top-order batsmen.

Zimbabwe had picked three quicks in the lineup with the inclusion of Donald Tripiano and he was among the wickets as well, picking up the wicket of Mohammed Mithun, gone for naught on his debut. Mithun was the third wicket to fall, while Bangladesh lost openers Imrul Kayes and Liton Das before that.

Imrul fell for naught as well as he inside-edged a good-length delivery from Kyle Jarvis to the wicket-keeper. Liton failed to keep the ball on the ground, driving the ball in the air, straight to the man at mid-wicket to become Jarvis's second victim. Mushfiqur Rahim and Mominul Haque, two of Bangladesh's most regular performers in Test cricket are in the process of rebuilding the innings. Mominul would have been back in the shade already had Brian Chari taken a difficult chance at point off the bowling of Tendai Chatara after a flashy drive from the batsman uncharacteristic of Test cricket. 

Fizz returns, Khaled debuts as Tigers bat

Bangladesh captain Mahmudullah Riyad won the toss and chose to field first in the second and final Test against Zimbabwe at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur.

After losing the first Test by 151 runs in Sylhet, the Bangladesh team management has decided to make three changes, chief among them the recall of ace pacer Mustafizur Rahman in place of left-arm spinner Nazmul Islam. 

The in-form Mohammad Mithun has been given a debut in place of the misfiring Nazmul Hossain Shanto, as has been pacer Khaled Ahmed in place of Abu Jayed to make an attack of two pacers and two specialist spinners. 

Teams

Bangladesh: Imrul Kayes, Liton Das, Mominul Haque, Mohammad Mithun, Mahmudullah Riyad, Mushfiqur Rahim, Ariful Haque, Mehedi Hasan Miraz, Taijul Islam, Khaled Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman

Zimbabwe: Hamilton Masakadza (capt), Brian Chari, Brendan Taylor, Sean Williams, Sikandar Raza, PJ Moor, Regis Chakabva (wk), Brandon Mavuta, Donald Tiripano, Kyle Jarvis, Tendai Chatara