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FATULLAH. — Sikandar Razza top-scored for Zimbabwe on day one of the three-day game against the Bangladesh Cricket Board XI but the visitors will feel they came short in their batting display on this six-week tour.
The Zimbabweans, who fielded a number of their heavyweight players, were bowled out for 241 runs.

They, however, will be happy that they struck before the close as the home side also lost one wicket in their reply late in the day in Fatullah. After deciding to bat, the visitors were jolted early by Robiul Islam, who bowled an excellent in swinger to remove Vusi Sibanda in the third over.

Raza and Brian Chari added 63 for the second wicket. But the pair fell in the space of 14 deliveries — Raza scored the innings’ highest, 44. Hamilton Masakadza made 24, the captain Brendan Taylor 19 and Elton Chigumbura 39 as the home bowlers, eleven of whom were employed by the captain Naeem Islam, kept picking up wickets with regularity.

The last four wickets yielded 87 as Chigumbura, Richmond Mutumbami and No 11 Shingi Masakadza prolonged their stay in the middle with cameos.

They were eventually bowled out in the 77th over, with left-arm pace bowler Mehedi Hasan and Naeem taking two wickets each. The BCB XI also did not get off to a solid start, though, with Chigumbura having Shadman Islam caught by Taylor in the second over of the five the team had to see out before stumps. — Sports Reporter/Cricinfo.