Mominul Haque and Mushfiqur Rahim both hit centuries and shared a record 266-run partnership to lift Bangladesh to 303-5 from a precarious 26-3 on the opening day of the second Test vs Zimbabwe on Sunday.
Haque smashed 161, his third 150-plus knock, highest by any Bangladesh batsman while Rahim made an unbeaten 111 as the hosts were finally able to cross 200 runs after eight Test innings.
Haque's seventh Test ton included 19 boundaries and gave Bangladesh firm control after Zimbabwe's fast bowlers had wobbled the hosts inside the first hour of the game.
Rahim, who raised his first century since his 127 against India 21 months ago, gave Haque support.
The duo had near-complete control of Zimbabwe's bowlers, who had earlier capitalized on some reckless shot selection by Bangladesh batsmen.
Zimbabwe fast bowlers Kyle Jarvis and Donald Tiripano rattled through the hosts' top order in the first hour, with Jarvis (3-48) making the first breakthrough in the seventh over, dismissing opener Imrul Kayes for no score after the batsman got an inside edge to offer a catch behind the wicket.
The hosts then compounded their poor start when the other opener, Liton Das (9), played a loose shot and chipped straight to mid-wicket off Jarvis's next over.
Tiripano (1-33) then got the better of debutant Mohammad Mithun (0), who offered a catch to first slip chasing a wide delivery.
But Haque and Rahim steadied the ship for Bangladesh, with Haque raising his century, from 150 balls, with his 12th boundary as the hosts rallied in the afternoon.
Rahim's sixth test century came off 187 balls with the help of eight boundaries.
Together Rahim and Haque brought up Bangladesh's highest partnership against Zimbabwe, before fast bowler, Tendai Chatara dismissed Haque with the second new ball.
Kyle Jarvis then removed nightwatchman Taijul Islam (4) in the penultimate over but skipper Mahmudullah and Rahim saw off the day.
