Mominul, Mushfiq's tons guide Tigers to 303/5 against Zimbabwe on Day-one

The Tigers bounced back strongly after losing three quick wickets and scored 303 for 5 riding on centuries by Mominul Haque and Mushfiqur Rahim in the first innings of the 2nd match of the two-game Test series against visiting Zimbabwe at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in the city on Sunday, reports UNB.

Apart from handling the early jolt after the fall of three wickets for only 26 runs, Mominul and Mushfiq also shared Bangladesh's best fourth-wicket partnership of 266 runs.

Mushfiq was at the crease scoring 111* off 231 balls with nine boundaries for his sixth Test century and skipper Mahmudullah Riyad [0*] was pairing him in the sixth wicket stand when the bails were drawn for the first day after 90 overs.

Opening the first innings with the bat and three changes in their best eleven, including two debutants in the team, Bangladesh went through their prolonged crisis of early collapse losing three wickets for 26 runs in 11.1 overs in the first hour.

Then Mominul and Mushfiq began their composures and carried the team to 292/4 in 85.4 overs with their fourth-wicket stand of 266 off 74.3 overs, which is the best partnership of Bangladesh in this stand.

The top-scorer of the day, Mominul finally was out for 161 off 247 balls, including 19 boundaries, as he was caught by Brian Chari off Tendai Chatara on 292/4 in 85.4 overs.

Mominul hit a boundary off Sikandar Raza in 54.1 overs to reach 102 from 98 when Bangladesh were on 181 for 3 in the second session.

He fired 12 boundaries off 150 balls to complete his seventh Test century.

A consistent run-getter of Bangladesh, Mushfiq followed centurion Mominul, completing his sixth Test ton with a single run off Zimbabwe skipper Hamilton Masakadza in the third session when Bangladesh's collection was 252/3 in 75.1 overs. He fired eight boundaries to reach the 100-run mark.

After the dismissal of Mominul, spin bowler Taijul Islam [4] was called in as the night watchman but failed to hold his nerve as he was caught behind by Regis Chakabva off Kyle Jarvis on 299/4 in 89th over.

Opening batsman Imrul Kayes faced 16 balls and was out for duck in 6.4 overs on team collection 13 runs and just within a span of three runs, Liton Kumar Das [9] was packed on single digit in 8.5 overs.

Kayes was caught behind by Regis Chakabva off Kyle Jarvis who also got Liton, caught by Brandon Mavuta, as his second scalp. Donald Tiripano dismissed debutant Mithun, caught by Taylor.

Mohammad Mithun could prove his worth on his debut, paring with Mominul, but left the ground without scoring any run on 26/3 in 11.1 overs, before the Mominul-Mushfiq.

Kyle Jarvis captured three wickets for 48 runs while Tendai Chatara[1/28] and Donald Tiripano[1/33] shared two wickets for Zimbabwe.

Bangladesh won the toss in the second Test and chose to bat first with three changes in their best eleven with pace bowler Mustafizur Rahman coming and Mohammad Mithun and Khaled Ahmed making their debut. They replaced Nazmul Hossain Shanto, Nazmul Islam and Abu Jayed.

Brief score:

Bngladesh 1st innings: 303/5* in 90 overs at stumps; Mominul Haque 161, Mushfiqur Rahim 111*, Mahmudullah Riyad 0*, Kyle Jarvis 3/48, Tendai Chatara 1/28, Donald Tiripano 1/33.