Sports Desk:

After losing wickets in clusters late in the day, Bangladesh finished the second day of the Chattogram Test leading Zimbabwe by 55 runs with three first-innings wickets in hand.

At stumps, Bangladesh reached 291 for 7 in 87 overs, with Mehidy Hasan Miraz (16) and Taijul Islam (5) at the crease. The final four overs of the day saw Zimbabwe tighten their grip, but the home side still holds the advantage with a 55-run lead.

Opener Shadman Islam was the standout performer, anchoring the innings with a career-best 120 off 181 balls, laced with 16 fours and a six. He brought stability at the top after Bangladesh resumed the day in reply to Zimbabwe’s 227.

Anamul Haque and Mominul Haque offered promising starts, scoring 39 and 33 respectively, but failed to convert them into big innings. Their dismissals, followed by Shadman’s departure, sparked a mini-collapse.

The middle-order tried to rebuild, with skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto (23) and Mushfiqur Rahim (40) adding 65 for the fourth wicket.

However, debutant leg-spinner Vincent Masakesa made key breakthroughs to bring Zimbabwe back into the contest, picking up 4 wickets including the scalps of Shanto, Jaker Ali (5), and Nayeem Hasan (3).

Bangladesh suffered a big blow when Mushfiqur was run out needlessly after a direct hit from Wesley Madhevere, further denting the hosts’ momentum late in the evening.