Visiting captain posts his third Test century as an evenly-fought day one plays out in Dhaka
Match Report:
ScorecardErvine hundred guides Zimbabwe against Tigers
Skipper Craig Ervine scored a dogged century as Zimbabwe shared the honours with Bangladesh on the opening day of the one-off Test in Dhaka on Saturday.
Ervine hit 107 off 227 balls – his third century in Tests – as the visitors reached 6-228 at stumps after opting to bat first in what is the 100th international match between the teams.
Off-spinner Nayeem Hasan bowled Ervine, who struck 13 fours, shortly before stumps to finish with 4-68, the best return for the home side on the opening day.
Nayeem helped Bangladesh restore balance in the contest with two wickets in each of the final two sessions after Zimbabwe made a cautious start.
Pace bowler Abu Jayed struck early to remove opener Kevin Kasuza for two as Nayeem took a catch at gully after the first run from the bat in Zimbabwe's innings came in the seventh over.
But fellow opener Prince Masvaure – who made 64 off 152 balls with nine fours – shared a 111-run with Ervine for the second wicket to put Zimbabwe in control.
Nayeem removed Masvaure with a sharp return catch shortly after the batsman was dropped by Najmul Hossain at slip on 59.
Brendan Taylor, who scored a century in both innings in his previous Test in Mirpur in 2018, soon followed Masvaure as Nayeem bowled him for 10.
The experienced right-hander attempted a reverse sweep but could only connect the ball with his gloves before it smashed onto his stumps.
Ervine and Sikandar Raza added 40 for the fourth wicket, before Nayeem removed Raza in the final session of the day.
Jayed trapped Timcyen Maruma lbw for seven for his second wicket after the batsman was reprieved by a TV umpire on one off Taijul Islam.
Wicketkeeper-batsman Regis Chakabva was batting on nine alongside Donald Tiripano, not out zero, when stumps were drawn at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium.
Mushfiqur Rahim returned to the Bangladesh line-up after missing out on their previous Test against Pakistan.
Zimbabwe handed Charlton Tshuma his Test debut.
Bangladesh have lost their past six Test matches – five of them by an innings or more – but they have also beaten Zimbabwe five times in their past six encounters.