Taijul strikes before Masakadza hits fifty

Taijul strikes before Masakadza hits fifty

Dhaka, Nov 3 (Just News): Left–arm spinner Taijul Islam struck twice but skipper Hamilton Masakadza kept Zimbabwe moving forward with an unbeaten fifty on the opening day of the first Test in Sylhet on Saturday.

Zimbabwe reached 85-2 at the lunch break with Masakadza at the crease on 52 not out alongside Sean William 13 not out after Taijul removed Brian Chari for 13 and Berndan Taylor for six.

Maskadza led the initial batting charge for Zimbabwe hitting Taijul two sixes over the long off after won the toss and elected to bat first in the first ever Test to be hosted by the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium.

Debutant medium pacer Ariful Haque could have made Masakadza his first ever Test victim 21 if Bangladesh skipper Mahmudullah had reviewed a leg-before appeal.

Field umpire Rod Tucker had turned down Bangladesh’s loud appeal and Mahmudullah decided against asking for a review, though replay indicated that the ball was hitting the stumps after pitching outside off.

Mahmudullah was hesitant after unnecessarily wasting a review earlier in the day against Chari off Taijul as replay showed that the ball touched the bat before hitting the pad.

Taijul soon bowled Chari with a low, flatter delivery before he had Taylor caught by Nazmul Hossain at forward short leg.

Bangladesh left out Mustafizur Rahman, Mohammad Mithun, Shafiul Islam, Khaled Ahmed and handed a Test debut to all-rounder Ariful and left-arm spinner Nazmul Islam.

Brandon Mavuta, Wellington Masakadza are making Test debut for Zimbabwe.

(Justnews/ys/1200hr)