Bangladesh, who began the third day of the Harare Test trailing by 230 runs, are already staring at the possibility of an innings defeat at the end of the first session. Resuming on 40 for 1 against Zimbabwe, they slumped to 117 for 5, still needing another 153 runs to avoid an innings loss.
Mahmudul Hasan Joy was the first batter to fall on the day, dismissed by Blessing Muzarabani for 22 off 32 balls after edging to Brian Bennett at slip. Mominul Haque, who scored a fifty in the first innings, managed just 13 before becoming Muzarabani’s second victim. The right-arm pacer then struck again just before lunch as veteran Mushfiqur Rahim was caught by the wicketkeeper for 34.
Earlier, captain Najmul Hossain Shanto was bowled by Newman Nyamhuri’s low full toss after scoring 30 off 41 balls with four boundaries. His dismissal also ended a 61-run fourth-wicket partnership with Mushfiqur.
Bangladesh had earlier been bundled out for 140 in their first innings by Zimbabwe’s pace attack, losing their last eight wickets for just 27 runs after being well placed at 113 for 2. In reply, Zimbabwe piled up 410, powered by Innocent Kaia’s 140 and half-centuries from Bennett, Craig Ervine and Wessly Madhevere, taking a lead of 270. Chasing that deficit, Bangladesh are now in danger of suffering an innings defeat.
