Tigers maul Zimbabwean bowling

Akram (r) made a well-compiled 55

Tour match: (three days)
Bangladesh 289-8 (Day 1)
Zimababwe 'A'

Bangladesh's batsmen spent valuable time in the middle ahead of the first Test next Thursday to amass a sizeable score after the first day in their three-day match in Bulawayo.

Four top order batsmen made half-centuries to give the tourists confidence ahead of the two Test series after being comprehensively outplayed in the one-day series.

After being put in to bat, Mehrab Hossain hit 76, Habibul Bashar 66, Akram Khan 55 and Khaled Mashud was not out 55 at the close.

Strong partnership

Pace bowler Brighton Watambwa took four for 68 before bad light ended the day's play 12 overs.

Watambwa trapped Javed Omar lbw for eight in the seventh over, the signal for Mehrab and Habibul to embark on a brisk second-wicket stand of 137.

Habibul went after lunch when he edged a wide delivery from Watambwa to wicket-keeper Tatenda Taibu.

Bangladesh then lost Aminul Islam, Mehrab and captain Naimur Rahman for the addition of just 25 to slump to 179 for five.

Late burst

But Akram and Khaled rallied to share a sixth wicket partnership of 96.

Akram fell leg before wicket to fast bowler Mluleki Nkala before the early cessation of play.

His dismissal prompted a collapse as Test bowler Henry Olonga, returning to action after a four-month lay-off with a stress fracture, dismissed Enamul Hoque and Hasibul Hussain with successive deliveries.

Bangladesh were whitewashed 3-0 by Zimbabwe in their recent one-day series.

---

Scoreboard:
Bangladesh first innings:
Javed Omar lbw b Watambwa 8
Mehrab Hossain b Mutendera 76
Habibul Bashar c Taibu b Watambwa 66
Animul Islam c Taibu b Watambwa 6
Akram Khan lbw b Nkala 55
Naimur Rahman c Wishart b Watambwa 0
Khaled Mashud not out 55
Enamul Hoque c Marillier b Olonga 6
Hasibul Hussain lbw b Olonga 0
Mohammed Sharif not out 0
Extras (b-1 lb-2 w-2 nb-12) 17
Total (for eight wickets, 93 overs) 289

To bat: Manjural Islam
Fall: 1-17 2-154 3-164 4-174 5-179 6-275 7-289 8-289
Bowling: Watambwa 25-4-68-4, Nkala 21-6-56-1, Mutendera 16.5-4-61-1, Olonga 15-5-49-2, Strang 9.1-1-27-0, Marillier 6-1-25-0

Zimbabwe A: H.Masakadza, D.Marillier, M.Vermeulen, C.Wishart, G.Rennie, P.Strang, T.Taibu, D.Mutendera, M.Nkala, B.Watambwa, H.Olonga