Williams keeps Zimbabwe aloft over Bangladesh
Zimbabwe Cricket
|| CF Correspondent ||
Sean Williams scored a fighting half-century as Zimbabwe continued thwarting Bangladesh’s spinners to reach 149-4 at tea on the opening day of the first Test on Saturday.
Williams, unbeaten on 53, provided Zimbabwe the solidity after pacer Abu Jayed dismissed Hamilton Masakadza for 52 in the first over in post-lunch session.
Masakadza, who had earlier won the toss and chose to bat first, stayed patient on an otherwise flat pitch, using his feet well against the spinners.
But Jayed found some sharp movement suddenly to cause his dismissal.
The opener brought up his eighth half-century, off 94 balls with four boundaries and two sixes, in the penultimate over before lunch with a cover drive off Abu Jayed.
Left-arm spinner earlier Taijul Islam made early inroads with the new ball, dismissing opener Brian Chari for 13 after he needlessly charged a straight ball and was bowled.
Taijul (2-62) then claimed the prized scalp of Brendan Taylor (6), who offered a low catch at short leg.
Skinadar Raza and Williams combined for a 44-run partnership for the fourth wicket to steady the innings before left-arm spinner Nazmul Islam got the better of Raza (19) for his maiden Test wicket.
Williams and Peter Moor (5) denied Bangladesh making further inroads in the session, dealing with the spinners confidently.
