Zimbabwe remained in control of the first Test in Sylhet against Bangladesh on day two of the first Test in Sylhet, thanks to half-centuries from Brian Bennett and Sean Williams, along with 80 valuable lower-order runs that secured an 82-run lead.
They then struck early with the ball to leave the hosts 25 runs behind at stumps with nine wickets in hand.
Zimbabwe had resumed in a strong position at 67 without loss after bowling out the home side for 191 in the first innings.
However, the opening partnership did not last long.
Ben Curran was caught off the glove at short leg off a sharp delivery from Nahid Rana for 18, with the score at 69 for one.
Two wickets fell with the score on 88: Nick Welch was bowled through the gate by Hasan Mahmud for two, while Bennett, after reaching an impressive fifty, edged a cut shot to the keeper for 57 off 64 balls.
The old firm of Williams and Craig Ervine were now together but they were unable to build a significant stand.
Ervine was dismissed for eight off 39 balls, caught behind off Rana after he tried to shoulder arms to a rising delivery – 129 for four.
The best partnership of the innings then followed as Wessly Madhevere joined Williams and the pair defied the excellent bowling to add 48 in 13 overs.
Madhevere played with intent but was bowled for 24 after dragging on a delivery from Khaled Ahmed.
Williams, meanwhile, reached a composed half-century, anchoring the innings before falling for 59 when he miscued a big hit off Mehidy Hasan Miraz and was caught at long-off.
He struck two sixes and six fours off 108 deliveries, just after taking Zimbabwe past Bangladesh’s total.
Nyasha Mayavo played positively for his 35, sharing valuable time in the middle with a dogged Wellington Masakadza, who ground out six runs off 42 balls.
With eight wickets down for 223, the Zimbabwe tail wagged determinedly.
Richard Ngarava struck an unbeaten 28 and shared a 36-run stand with Blessing Muzarabani, who contributed 17.
Victor Nyauchi was the last man out, having added a valuable seven runs to help lift Zimbabwe’s total to 273 and stretch their lead to 82.
Miraz proved a constant threat and ended with figures of five for 52, while Rana, fast and dangerous but expensive, took three for 74 from 18 overs.
Muzarabani made an early breakthrough when Bangladesh batted again, removing Shadman Islam for four – caught in the slips by Williams – to leave the hosts at 13 for one.
Mahmudul Hasan with 28 and Mominul Haque with 15, both not out, then dug in to see out the remainder of the day.
At stumps, Bangladesh were 57 for one, still 25 runs behind and with nine wickets in hand.
