Sports Desk:

A dismal batting display on day one of the Sylhet Test saw Bangladesh bundled out for just 191 in 61 overs, with more than an hour still left before stumps.

Zimbabwe ended the day firmly on top, with both openers unbeaten and chipping away at the deficit with ease.

Zimbabwe openers Brian Bennett and Ben Curran batted through the final session without much trouble, frustrating the Bangladeshi bowlers and further asserting their team’s dominance. By stumps, Zimbabwe had reached 67 runs without loss, with Bennett on 40 and Curran on 17, trailing by just 124 runs.

With all ten wickets intact and the pitch still playing true, Zimbabwe will look to build a commanding first-innings lead on Day Two, while Bangladesh will need early wickets to claw their way back into the contest.

Earlier in the day, Bangladesh’s innings had moments of promise, particularly during a 50-run stand between Mominul Haque and Captain Najmul Hossain Shanto. However, once that partnership was broken with Shanto’s dismissal for 40, the floodgates opened. From 84 for 2, the hosts slipped to 154 for 7 by the 50-over mark, losing five wickets for just 70 runs.

Left-arm spinner Wellington Masakadza was the chief destroyer, claiming three wickets — all of which came from loose shots. Blessing Muzarabani also picked up three, while Wesley Madhevere and Victor Nyauchi chipped in with two each.

Mominul top-scored with a gritty 56, having survived an early chance on zero, while Jaker Ali added 28 before falling while trying to clear the boundary. Bangladesh’s tail offered little resistance, with the innings folding quickly after tea.