Dhaka, Bangladesh: Opener Sikandar Raza struck 51 on Saturday to steer Zimbabwe to 179-5 at tea on the first day of the first test against Bangladesh.
Raza defied Bangladesh spinners to steady the innings after an early stumble at 31-2. Elton Chigumbura made 29 while captain Brendan Taylor scored 28.
Craig Ervine was on 24 at tea with Regis Chakabva on 15.
Raza and Taylor added 52 runs for the third wicket to help Zimbabwe settle before Bangladesh got back in the match with three quick wickets.
Shakib Al Hasan and debutant leg spinner Jubair Hossain claimed two wickets apiece while Shahadat Hossain returned 1-38.
Zimbabwe batted to a cautious 77-2 at lunch against Bangladesh on the first day of the first cricket test.
Opener Sikandar Raza hit five boundaries and was batting on 34 at the break with captain Brendan Taylor on 24.
For Bangladesh, the session started almost perfectly as Shahadat Hossain (1-26) -- back in the national team after a year's absence -- removed Vusi Sibanda for 6 in the first over.
Shakib Al Hasan (1-16) then dismissed Hamilton Masakadz made 13 before paying the price of an impatient shot when he was caught by Taijul Islam at mid-off.
Together with Taylor, Raza went on to see off the Bangladesh spinners with utmost confidence to steady the ship.
Shakib appealed for bat-pad catch off Taylor at short square leg when he was on 16. The appeal went to a review after the umpire initially ruled not out. The review however upheld umpire's decision.
Earlier, legspinner Tafadzwa Kamungozi makes his debut for Zimbabwe in the basement clash in which both teams will attempt to avoid 10th position in the ICC test ranking by winning the series. Bangladesh also handed a debut to another legspinner Jubair Hossain.
