Bangladesh made early inroads by removing both Zimbabwean openers before the end of the first session on day one of the Chattogram Test at the Bir Shreshtha Shaheed Flight Lieutenant Matiur Rahman Cricket Stadium (BSSFLMRCS) on Monday. 

At lunch, Zimbabwe reached 89 for 2 after 28 overs.  

Nick Welch looked solid at the crease, unbeaten on 32 off 53 balls, while the experienced Sean Williams was cautiously batting on 6 off 34 deliveries.  

Earlier, Bangladesh’s fast bowlers Hasan Mahmud and Tanzim Hasan delivered probing spells with accurate wobble-seam bowling but couldn’t break the opening stand. 

This prompted captain Najmul Hossain Shanto to introduce Mehidy Hasan Miraz into the attack, and the off-spinner immediately created a chance by finding the outside edge of Ben Curran’s bat. However, Shadman Islam spilled a simple catch at first slip.  

Tanzim, returning for a second spell, provided the breakthrough by dismissing the in-form Brian Bennett with a rising delivery. Wicketkeeper Jaker Ali showed sharp reflexes, leaping at the last moment to complete the catch and end Bennett’s innings at 21 in the 11th over.  

Left-arm spinner Taijul Islam then struck at the 18.2-over mark, breaching Ben Curran’s defense. Curran departed after scoring 21 off 50 balls.