Yet another day has ended in the name of the batsmen with Zimbabwe players this time dominated first and the last sessions of the day. Zimbabwe begin Day 3 with 53 for the loss of one wicket, with Hamilton Masakadsa and Brian Chari on the crease. Taijul Islam again got the second breakthrough for Bangladesh dismissing Chari for 25 early in the morning session.
Masakadsa played a gem of a knock to evenly poised the game and bring Zimbabwe back in the contest. After losing Chari and Raza early, Masakadsa took the responsibility on his shoulder and his temperament was appreciable. Masakadsa and Skipper Brendon Taylor began the day well and truly behind in the match but with the hope of establishing a foothold on Zimbabwe's innings.
Shakib-ul-Hasan, who scored a ton also did well with the ball. He offered the only resistance in an innings by picking up three wickets. Taylor played with energy and intent to the interval, but when play resumed he was bewitched and then dismissed by Shakib, who gained sharp turn that Taylor seemed unable to adjust to.
Craig Ervin and slugger Elton Chigumbura didn't hassle the scorers more and got out chintzily. Wickets falling at one end didn't affect Masakadsa on the other. He hardly took any pressure and played his shots whenever got a loose delivery. The man who stayed with him for most of the time in the day joined him post lunch in 65th over, Regis Chakabva. Chakabva supported his partner well, he played Shakib with lot of difficulties in the beginning, but once he got going, hardly anyone seemed to trouble his defensive techniques.
Bangladesh let slip the advantage. At one stage they had Zimbabwe five down for 189, but Masakadsa and Chakbva batted sensibly to add 142 runs unbeaten stand for the 6th wicket. Both team will look to tighten their grip tomorrow.
Day 3: Bangladesh - 433 (Shakib-ul-Hasan 137, Tamim Iqbal 109, Tinashe Panyangara 2/49, Malcom Waller 2/65)
Zimbabwe - 331/5 ( Hamilton Masakadsa 154*, Regus Chakabva 75*, Shakib-ul-Hasan 3/70, Taijul Islam 2/94).