Zimbabwe pass the test

Masakadza,Sibanda put hosts in control against Bangladesh on Day 1 of return to longer version.

Hamilton Masakadza and Vusi Sibanda made half-centuries as Zimbabwe dominated the first day of its return to Test cricket against Bangladesh on Thursday. Masakadza was 88 not out as Zimbabwe went to stumps at Harare Sports Club on a commanding 264-2. Sibanda was out for 78,his first Test half century.

Zimbabwes top-order batsmen combined for partnerships of 102,60 and 102 to take early control in its first Test in six years after being put in to bat by Bangladesh captain Shakib Al Hasan. I think the guys showed a lot of maturity today, Zimbabwe captain Brendan Taylor said. But its still four days to go and a lot of cricket to be played. We just need to come back tomorrow and make it difficult for them to come back in the game, he added.

Zimbabwe had been expected to struggle on its Test return after such a long absence. Criticism of the board this week from former captain Tatenda Taibu who is in the team had also threatened to overshadow the match. But there was no sign of unrest in the camp and inexperienced openers Sibanda and Tino Mawoyo 43 began with a century for the first wicket. Masakadza then attacked from No. 3 to give Zimbabwe a promising second start in the five-day format.

The one-off Test is Zimbabwes first since 2005,when a fallout between senior players and administrators led to an exodus of its top cricketers and the self-imposed exile. Medium pacer Rubel Hossain 2-58 was the only wicket-taker for the visitors on a green,bouncy pitch that the Bangladesh seamers failed to take advantage of.

Masakadza hit seven fours and a six off 203 balls for his second-highest Test score,having made his first and only Test century on debut against West Indies as a 17-year-old schoolboy in 2001. The 27-year-old shared a half-century partnership with Sibanda and a century stand with Taylor,who was 40 not out at close.

Brief scores: Zimbabwe 264/2 Hamilton Masakadza batting 88,Vusi Sibanda 78,Rubel Hossain 2/58 vs Bangladesh