A combination of poor shot selection and lacklustre execution saw Bangladesh slump to a disappointing 191 all out on the opening day of the first Test against Zimbabwe at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium.
Despite favourable batting conditions and minimal pressure — with little media buzz and sparse crowd attendance — Bangladesh failed to seize the opportunity on a sporting pitch after opting to bat first. From a relatively stable position at 98 for 2, the hosts suffered a familiar collapse, losing their final eight wickets for just 93 runs.
The performance reignited a pressing question surrounding the Tigers’ red-ball credentials: Has Bangladesh forgotten how to bat in Test cricket?
While the side has managed three wins from their last six away Tests, those successes have largely stemmed from standout bowling efforts. In contrast, the batting unit continues to underperform. In the past 17 Test innings over the last year, Bangladesh have failed to surpass the 200-run mark on eight occasions — a telling statistic.
On Sunday, Bangladesh would have looked to experienced campaigners Mominul Haque, Najmul Hossain Shanto, and Mushfiqur Rahim to guide them to a competitive total after two early wickets fell. However, all three were guilty of poor decision-making at the crease, playing loose shots at inopportune moments.
Speaking after the day’s play, Bangladesh’s senior assistant coach Mohammad Salahuddin admitted his side had only themselves to blame.
“There’s no point blaming the wicket. It was fantastic,” Salahuddin said. “Zimbabwe batted well and showed it’s possible to bat here. We lacked execution and made tactical errors. Shot selection was poor. The boys didn’t look uncomfortable or short on confidence, but the awareness wasn’t there.”
He added that repeated errors were proving costly: “You can make mistakes, but repeating them is a serious problem. We need to address this urgently.”
Salahuddin remained optimistic, however, that the players were committed to improving.
“The boys are trying to make changes mentally. They’re working hard and want to become great players. Today was a bad day, but it’s not for a lack of effort.”
In contrast, Zimbabwe delivered a disciplined and determined display with both ball and bat. Bowling coach Charl Langeveldt was full of praise for his team’s execution after Bangladesh’s dismissal for a modest total was followed by a composed unbeaten opening stand worth 67 runs.
“It was a great day for Zimbabwe cricket,” Langeveldt said. “We corrected our lengths after a short start, and once we got Shanto, the collapse came. It was a good, disciplined day.”
Victor Nyauchi set the tone early, removing both openers, while the towering Blessing Muzarabani generated disconcerting bounce to dismiss Shanto and Mehidy Hasan Miraz.
“Blessing was brilliant. Aggression and hitting the right areas is key, and this is the quickest wicket I’ve seen in Bangladesh,” added Langeveldt.
Though Zimbabwe dropped two chances — Mominul was put down on nought and went on to score 56, while Jaker Ali also benefitted from a reprieve — they remained firmly in control. Mominul’s half-century was the lone highlight in an otherwise dismal batting effort for the hosts, his eventual dismissal to a careless shot encapsulating Bangladesh’s continued red-ball struggles.
“I call it mental errors,” Langeveldt remarked. “It can happen to any side, but staying disciplined is crucial.”
Zimbabwe’s openers Brian Bennett and Ben Curran showed just that — batting with patience and application to whittle away at the deficit, reaching stumps unscathed on 67 without loss.
“Our guys stuck to their plans. It was a tough session, but they did really well,” Langeveldt said.
With all ten wickets intact and a deficit of just 124, Zimbabwe will look to tighten their grip on the contest when play resumes on day two. Bangladesh, meanwhile, must confront yet another red-ball reckoning.