Bangladesh vs Zimbabwe Only Test Day 3 preview: Hosts’ middle order likely to bat tourists out of match

Bangladesh finished Day 2 at Shere Bangla National Stadium, Mirpur, on 240/3, just 25 behind Zimbabwe on first innings. Having added an unbroken 68 for the fourth wicket, Mominul Haque (79*) and Mushfiqur Rahim (32*) will resume tomorrow. With the likes of Mohammad Mithun and Liton Das to follow, Bangladesh may even be looking at a lead of 200.

To make things worse, Zimbabwe have lost both Prince Masvaure and Victor Nyauchi, to injuries while fielding. Nyauchi also picked up the first wicket for Zimbabwe, having Saif Hassan for 8. This was one of three catches held by Regis Chakabva in the innings. Najmul Hossain Shanto (71) then added 78 with Tamim Iqbal (41) and 76 with Mushfiqur (1/40).

Earlier in the day, Zimbabwe lost all 4 wickets in just over an hour but still reached 265. Nayeem Hasan got 4/70 and Abu Jayed 4/71. For them, Regis Chakabva was the only one to put up any resistance.

Key players

Mominul Haque (Bangladesh): When it is in Bangladesh, you simply cannot keep Mominul out of the action. With just 21 short of yet another Test hundred, Mominul will have his eyes on the landmark, and more.

Charlton Tshuma (Zimbabwe): The tall debutant bowled his heart out, eventually picking up his first wicket, of Shanto. If Nyauchi does indeed stay unfit, Tshuma will have a bigger role to play than he intended it.

Brief scores

Zimbabwe 265 (Craig Ervine 107, Prince Masvaure 65; Nayeem Hasan 4/70, Abu Jayed 4/71) lead Bangladesh 240/3 (Mominul Haque 79*, Najmul Hossain Shanto 71; Donald Tiripano 1/40) by 25 runs.

Prediction

Bangladesh to take a 200-run lead and have a shot at Zimbabwe before stumps.