||CF Correspondent||

A lackluster batting approach, coupled with Zimbabwe bowlers smart bowling left Bangladesh a mountainous task to save the first Test as they conceded a 140-run lead just at the end of the second day at Sylhet International Cricket Stadium on Sunday.

Fast bowler Tendai Chatara and off-spinner Sikandar Raza were the wrecker-in-chief, claiming three wickets apiece while Kyle Jarvis  complemented their effort with 2-28, leaving Bangladesh in a spot of bother.

While the combination of Chatara and Jarvis rocked Bangladesh’s top order, leaving them 19-4, Raza took the care of the lower order to help the side wrap up the hosts for 143. Zimbabwe was bowled out for 282 in its first innings.

With a commendable 139 runs lead, Zimbabwe reached 1-0 in its second innings before the bad light brought an end to the day.

Chatara and Jarvis began the damage but they were vastly benefited by the Bangladeshi batsmen’s lack of application and wretched shot.

What Jarvis and Chatara did was to persist with a good line and length, making batsmen error in a pitch that didn’t offer movement much.

Chatara drew the blood first dismissing Imrul Kayes for 5 as he made him doing mistakes, just bowling outside off consistently.

If Kayes was dismissed for his lack of application, Liton Das perished to a loose shot against Jarvis to fall for 9.

Chatara then left Bangladesh in clueless state, dealing a double strike to remove Nazmul Hossain (5), and captain Mahmudullah (0) in a gem of fast bowling.

Nazmul Hossain Shanto was panicked by the slight movement but Mahmudullah got a beautiful delivery to drag the ball on to his stump, even though he could use his feet well.

Mushfiqur Rahim and Mominul Haque had a brief resistance before Raza got the better of the latter (11) with a beautiful off-break.

Jarvis got extra bounce with a full length delivery to end Rahim’s vigil, to effectively terminate Bangladesh’s hope to fight back. Rahim scored 31 off 54, sending the ball across the rope five times.

However the hosts found a hope in debutant Ariful Haque but Raza continued baffling the lower order batsmen with his sly off-break.

As his partners failed to read Raza, Ariful was stranded on 41.

Earlier, left-arm spinner Taijul Islam took 6-108 to contain the tourists to below 300, after Zimbabwe had started the day at 236-5.

With Peter Moor showing impeccable defense in defying the spinners along with Regis Chakabva, Taijul caused the damage, forcing the visitors’ loss last five wicket for just 21 runs.

Moor left stranded on 63 off 192, hitting six fours.