Agence France Presse

Dhaka, January 16:

Zimbabwe captain Tatenda Taibu and Brendan Taylor hit impressive half-centuries under pressure to boost hopes of setting a stiff target for Bangladesh in the second and final Test here on Sunday. Zimbabwe were wobbling at 37-4 following fast bowler Mashrafe Mortaza’s three-wicket burst before reaching 203-6 in their second innings at stumps on the third day for an overall lead of 290.

Taylor scored a career-best 78 for his second Test half-century, while Taibu (81 not out) continued to relish the Bangladeshi bowling with his third half-century in four innings against the hosts. Taibu and Taylor restored their team’s fortunes with a 150-run stand, Zimbabwe’s best for the fifth wicket against Bangladesh in eight Tests.

Bangladesh were earlier all out for 211 in their first innings in reply to Zimbabwe’s 298, but bounced back into the match when Mortaza grabbed three wickets in his sharp opening spell. Mortaza ran through the Zimbabwean top order as he trapped Stuart Matsikenyeri (14), Barney Rogers (20) and Dion Ebrahim (one) leg-before, triggering a collapse which saw the tourists lose four wickets in the space of just seven runs and eight overs.

Veteran left-arm spinner Mohammad Rafique was the other wicket-taker when he had Hamilton Masakadza caught by Rajin Saleh for one. Taibu kept his end intact as he mixed caution with aggression to keep the attack at bay. The Zimbabwean skipper struck 11 boundaries in his seventh Test half-century to keep alive his team’s hopes of squaring the series.

SCOREBOARD:

Zimbabwe — 1st innings 298

Bangladesh — 1st innings: 211

Zimbabwe — 2nd innings:

S Mat’yeri lbw b Mortaza 14

B Rogers lbw b Mortaza 20

D Ebrahim lbw b Mortaza 1

H Masakadza c Saleh b Rafique 1

B Taylor b Haque 78

T Taibu not out 81

E Chi’bura c Mashud b Ashraful 0

T Panyangara not out 2

Extras: 6 (lb2, nb4)

Total: 203/6

FoW: 1-30, 2-36, 3-37, 4-37, 5-187, 6-196

Bangladesh Bowling: Mortaza 16-6-45-3, Baisya 10-2-32-0, Rafique 18-6-47-1, Haque 22-4-67-1, Ashraful 6-2-10-1