Zimbabwe seized control of the opening day of the Sylhet Test after a dismal batting collapse saw Bangladesh bowled out for a modest 191 in just 61 overs. With more than an hour left before stumps, Zimbabwe’s openers then piled on the misery for the hosts by comfortably navigating the final session.
Brian Bennett and Ben Curran remained unbeaten at the close of play, guiding Zimbabwe to 67 without loss and reducing the deficit to just 124 runs. Bennett looked particularly fluent, ending the day on 40, while Curran played a watchful supporting role on 17.

With all ten wickets in hand and the pitch offering little for bowlers, Zimbabwe are in prime position to establish a significant first-innings lead on Day Two. For Bangladesh, early wickets will be vital to claw back into the contest.
Earlier in the day, Bangladesh’s innings began with flickers of hope, but those quickly faded. After being put into bat, the hosts lost both openers—Shadman Islam and Mahmudul Hasan Joy—early to third seamer Victor Nyauchi, who was introduced in the ninth over and struck twice in quick succession.
Nyauchi’s first wicket came with just his fourth delivery, an angled ball outside
off stump that tempted Shadman into a mistimed drive. Brian Bennett held onto the sharp chance at gully, ending a 31-run opening stand. Shadman managed 12 off 23 balls, including one boundary. In Nyauchi’s next over, Joy followed suit, nicking behind to wicketkeeper Nyasha Mayavo for 14 off 35 balls.
At 32 for 2, Bangladesh looked vulnerable, but a stabilizing 52-run partnership between Mominul Haque and captain Najmul Hossain Shanto provided some respite. The duo batted with composure, guiding the team to lunch without further damage.
However, Zimbabwe struck back hard in the second session. Pacer Blessing Muzarabani bowled from around the wicket, using his height and bounce to trouble the left-handed pair. The pressure paid off as Shanto fell for 40, triggering a collapse. Bangladesh crumbled from 84 for 2 to 154 for 7 within just 16 overs.
Left-arm spinner Wellington Masakadza capitalized on Bangladesh’s poor shot selection, claiming three wickets during the middle session. All his dismissals came from loose strokes, as the batters failed to apply themselves against spin. Muzarabani added two more to his tally, including the crucial wicket of vice-captain Mehidy Hasan Miraz with a well-directed short ball. Richard Ngarava and Wesley Madhevere also chipped in with a wicket each.
Mominul Haque stood tall with a patient 56 but threw away his wicket with a reckless slog sweep straight to short mid-wicket. Jaker Ali contributed a useful 28, trying to accelerate the scoring, but was caught attempting to clear the boundary. The lower order offered little resistance, and the innings ended swiftly after tea.
At the end of a one-sided day, Zimbabwe find themselves in a commanding position, while Bangladesh face an uphill battle to stay in the match.