Khulna, Bangladesh: Hamilton Masakadza's career-best 154 not out helped Zimbabwe cruise to 331-5 and trail Bangladesh by only 102 runs on the first innings after three days of the second test on Wednesday.
Masakadza, the No. 3 batsman, was joined by wicketkeeper Regis Chakabva at 189-5 in the shaky second session, and together they put on 142 at three an over, going unbeaten through the last session.
They dismantled the Bangladesh bowlers on a placid deck which offered little for the spin-heavy host team.
In response to Bangladesh's 433, Zimbabwe has put up its best score since April 2013, when it made 389 against Bangladesh in Harare.
Masakadza's fourth test century eclipsed his previous best of 119 against the West Indies in his debut test in 2001.
Chakabva's unbeaten 75 was also his career-best knock.
Zimbabwe, 53-1 overnight, lost only one wicket in the morning, opener Brian Chari for 25.
Resuming on 15, Masakadza survived two near-dismissals, but Shamsur Rahman missed both catches at first slip. Masakadza was still on 15 when he edged a Rubel Hossain delivery in the second over, then offered another possible catch off legspinner Taijul Islam on 19 in the next over.
Masakadza made Bangladesh pay the price for the misfields, playing some attractive strokes around the wicket with 17 fours and two sixes.
Bangladesh struck back in the middle session through legspinner Shakib Al Hasan, who dismissed captain Brendan Taylor for 37, Craig Ervine for 17 and Elton Chigumbura for 1, to raise the prospect of Bangladesh taking a big lead.
But Masakadza resisted them from taking the advantage. He brought up his century off 215 balls just before tea, and by stumps had seen off 316 balls.
Shakib was the leading wicket-taker with 3-70 while Taijul claimed 2-94.
