Sublime Mahmudullah guides Bangladesh to 468 in 1st innings

DHAKA —Mahmudullah Riyad struck a sublime 150 not out as Bangladesh were bowled out for 468 in their first innings of the one-off Test against Zimbabwe at the Harare Sports Club today.

Resuming the day on 294-8, overnight pair Mahmudullah and Taskin Ahmed stretched their ninth wicket partnership to 191 runs, which was highest for Bangladesh in this wicket and second highest in Test history behind South Africa’s Marck Boucher and Pat Symcox 195 against Pakistan.

The partnership was key in helping Bangladesh to a strong total. Taskin was then ninth batsman to score 75 after hitting 11 boundaries in 111 balls.

After his dismissal, Mahmudullah reached 150 but the No.11 batsman Ebadot Hossain was removed for naught after playing eight balls as Bangladesh’s innings came to an end.

Mahmudullah’s unbeaten 150 off 278 was included 17 fours and one six.

As they began the second day, Mahmudullah and Taskin paced the scoreboard, batting fluently, a strategy that made the Zimbabwe bowlers stunned and disarray.

Mahmudullah, who started the day on 54, brought up his ton with consecutive boundaries off offspinner Roy Kaia—the second one he cracked through to cover-point four for his century off 195 balls.

Immediately next over, Taskin pushed one off pace bowler Richard Ngarava to mid-on for a single to complete his maiden first class half-century off 69 balls.

But both of them looked more compact after reaching their respective milestone, keeping Zimbabwe bowlers at bay.

Blessing Muzarabani was the most successful bowler for Zimbabwe with 4-94 while Victor Nyauchi and Donals Tiripano claimed two wickets apiece.

Earlier on the opening day, Liton Das and skipper Mominul Haque led the way to keep Bangladesh at a safe position after they were reduced to 8-2 and then 3-68. Later they lost two stalwarts Shakib Al Hasan and Mushfiqur Rahim in the space of five balls to be left to score in tricky 109-5.

With Zimbabwe appearing to take full control, Mominul first led the resistance with 92 ball-70 and then Liton bailed the side out of danger with scintillating 95 off 147.BSS