Hero Hondo changes gears

Zimbabwean paceman Douglas Hondo sliced through the Bangladeshi batting with a career-best 6-45 on the second day of the second and final Test here today.

The 25-year-old gave a superb exhibition of seam bowling on a slow track to reduce Bangladesh to 169-8 at stumps in reply to Zimbabwe8217;s first-innings total of 298.

Lower-order batsman Mohammad Rafique top-scored for Bangladesh with an aggressive 56 with the help of one six and seven fours. Zimbabwe were indebted to skipper Tatenda Taibu and Hondo for gaining the upper hand despite a seven-wicket haul by Bangladeshi left-arm spinner Enamul Haque.

Brief scores

: 298 S Matsikenyeri 51, H Masakadza 43, T Taibu 85 n.o; E Haque Jr 7.95 vs Bangladesh: 169-8 J Omar 34, M Rafique 56; D Hondo 6/45.