Zimbabwe opener Brian Bennett believes his side are slightly ahead after a hard-fought second day in the first Test against Bangladesh, with the match finely poised heading into day three.
Bangladesh closed the day on 57 for one in their second innings, still trailing Zimbabwe by 25 runs after Mehedi Hasan Miraz claimed five wickets to bowl the visitors out for 273. Despite the hosts regaining some momentum, Zimbabwe struck back late to keep the contest delicately balanced.
Speaking after the day’s play, Bennett, who contributed a brisk 57 off 64 balls, expressed quiet confidence in Zimbabwe’s position.
“After last night’s performance with the bat and after bowling out Bangladesh for 191, I feel the game is now in the balance,” he said. “We feel we are a bit ahead after taking that wicket in the evening. Tomorrow is going to be a big day.”
Having already secured a first-innings lead of 82, Zimbabwe are hopeful of capitalising further on day three.
“I think we have a great opportunity to win the game,” Bennett added. “We are still 20–30 runs ahead. Our bowlers will have a rest tonight and come back tomorrow fighting hard. You don’t know what might happen. There’s a lot of time left in this Test.”
The pitch in Sylhet, which offered early assistance to both seamers and spinners, appears to be easing, according to Bennett.
“It is becoming a little easier to bat on now. There’s still some turn, but the seamers are getting more from the surface than they did yesterday.”
Reflecting on his own dismissal to young paceman Nahid Rana, Bennett was typically forthright.
“He has got some good pace on him, but the faster the ball comes, the further I can hit it. My cut shots were working well today. I just mis-executed that one.”
Zimbabwe did miss a couple of chances in the field late in the day, but Bennett stressed the importance of team unity.
“No one wants to drop a catch. We have to back each other. We won’t shout at anyone. Tomorrow we’ll come back stronger.”
Recalling Zimbabwe’s famous Test victory in Sylhet back in 2018, Bennett said the team is eager to emulate that result.
“It’s not often we win a Test in Bangladesh. To be in a position like this, we feel we have a very good chance. We trust all fifteen guys in the squad.”
With the contest delicately poised and both sides eyeing a decisive third day, all eyes will be on Sylhet as the battle for control continues.