Mominul Haque’s gritty half-century provided a rare highlight on a tough opening day for Bangladesh, who slumped to 154-7 at tea in the first Test against Zimbabwe.
Despite a steady start, the home side faltered in the second session as Zimbabwe’s bowlers, led by spinner Wellington Masakadza and pacer Blessing Muzarabani, dismantled the middle order. Mominul fought a lone battle, scoring a determined 56 off 105 balls with eight fours and a six. His innings ended just before the tea break when he mistimed an aggressive shot off Masakadza, sparking a collapse that saw Bangladesh lose four wickets for just 17 runs.
The former captain had earlier shared a 66-run third-wicket partnership with Nazmul Hossain Shanto (40), who was Muzarabani’s first breakthrough of the day. However, the momentum shifted rapidly as experienced batters Mushfiqur Rahim and Mehidy Hasan Miraz failed to make an impact.
Masakadza was the standout performer with the ball, picking up three crucial wickets, including Taijul Islam late in the session.
A post-lunch rain delay briefly halted play for 30 minutes, but the Zimbabwean attack remained relentless upon resumption, keeping Bangladesh under pressure with tight, disciplined bowling.
At the tea interval, Hasan Mahmud (6*) and Jaker Ali (3*) were at the crease, with the hosts facing the prospect of being bowled out well before stumps. With the top and middle order undone, Bangladesh’s hopes of posting a competitive total now rest on the lower-order resistance.
