Zimbabwe marked their return from a six-year exile by racking up an impressive 264 for two against Bangladesh on the first day of a one-off Test at the Harare Sports Club on Thursday.
All four of Zimbabwe's top batsmen made runs with Hamilton Masakadza finishing the day unbeaten on 88 with seven fours and a six as he closes in on a second Test century.
Masakadza made his first century 10 years ago on his debut at the age of 17, scoring 119 against West Indies on this same ground.
New skipper Brendan Taylor was also undefeated on Thursday, having made a steady 40 off 108 balls.
Debutant opener Tinotenda Mawoyo made 43 while Vusi Sibanda smashed 78, with seven fours and one six, as the two put on 102 for the first wicket.
"I cannot compliment our guys enough,¨ said Taylor. "The way the openers stuck it out and the platform of Hamilton and myself in the final session was perfect - you cannot ask more than that. Tomorrow we must stay focussed."
Debutant opener Tinotenda Mawoyo made 43 while Vusi Sibanda smashed 78, with seven fours and one six, as the two put on 102 for the first wicket.
"I cannot compliment our guys enough,¨ said Taylor. "The way the openers stuck it out and the platform of Hamilton and myself in the final session was perfect - you cannot ask more than that. Tomorrow we must stay focussed."
After losing the toss, and being put into bat on a greenish wicket by Bangladesh captain Shakib al Hassan, Zimbabwe constructed a foundation for what could be a winning score.
Zimbabwe's batsmen mixed caution with aggression, allowing few chances especially after a scare in the second over of the day when Sibanda was very nearly run out.
Bangladesh, already defeated by a Zimbabwe X1 in a three-day tour match at the weekend, looked shell-shocked by the day's end.
Zimbabwe's batsmen mixed caution with aggression, allowing few chances especially after a scare in the second over of the day when Sibanda was very nearly run out.
Bangladesh, already defeated by a Zimbabwe X1 in a three-day tour match at the weekend, looked shell-shocked by the day's end.
