Sundaymail Editor
A defiant ninth-wicket partnership between Mahmudullah and Taskin Ahmed looked to have given Bangladesh complete control, but hosts Zimbabwe clawed their way back during latter stages of the second day of their once-off Test at Harare Sports Club on Thursday.
The Mahmudullah and Ahmed posted career figures during their 191-run ninth-wicket stand to end their innings on 468 runs, after which Zimbabwe made a superb start in their reply.
They go to stumps on 114 for one.
Openers Milton Shumba and debutant Takudzwanashe Kaitano added 61 for the opening stand, before stand-in captain Brendan Taylor saw off the remaining overs with the debutant Kaitano.
Taylor was unbeaten on 37 off 46 balls, while Kaitano looked solid on 33 off 117 balls.
The visitors began the day on 294 for eight, with Mahmudullah and Taskin dominating proceedings with what is now the second-highest ninth-wicket stand in Test history.
They broke the Bangladesh record of 184 runs for the ninth wicket between Mahmudullah and Abul Hasan in 2012.
Mahmudullah made 150 off 278 with 17 fours and a six, while Ahmed chipped with 75 off 132 balls.
Milton Sumba did break the partnership when he bowled out Ahmed in the 123rd over of Bangladesh’s innings.
Blessing Muzarabani then came in and cleaned out things when he had Ebadot Hossain trapped leg-before-wicket for an eight-ball duck.
Muzarabani also finished the pick of the bowlers with four wickets for 94 runs, while Victor Nyauchi and Donald Tiripano chipped in with two wicket each.
Openers Kaitano and Shumba then saw off the new ball threat, batting out the first 13 overs before the latter tried to sweep Shakib Al Hasan for one too many boundaries.
He soon fell leg-before-wicket to Shakib, having made 41 off 83 balls, to leave Zimbabwe on 61 for one.
The end of Shumba’s innings saw Taylor join Kaitano at the crease, with the two seeing off the day.
Cricinfo/Sport Reporter
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