Published: 10:39 AM, 30 June 2026
Zimbabwe continuesdominates against Bangladesh in one-off Test
Zimbabwe opener Innocent Kaiaplays a shot against Bangladesh in one-off Test at Harare Sports Club on Monday.-Zimbabwe Cricket
Opener Innocent Kaia kept his patience and smashed century as Zimbabwe continued dominates against visitors on the second day in the Bangladesh in one-off Test at Harare Sports Club on Monday.
Kaia was unbeaten on 127 while Brian Bennett was not out on 59 as the dup went to lunch with 109 run lead. The hosts reached 249 for two after Bangladesh were dismissed for 140 in the first innings.
Zimbabwe took first-day honours in a one-off Test against Bangladesh on Sunday thanks to opener Innocent Kaia and left-arm quick Newman Nyamhuri.
Nyamhuri took four wickets as Bangladesh collapsed to 140 all out after losing the toss at Harare Sports Club.
An unbeaten 76 from Kaia then lifted Zimbabwe to 136 for the loss of one wicket as the host seeks to follow up a Test win in Bangladesh last year with another victory.
Bangladesh, fresh from a 2-0 series win over Pakistan in the longest format, arrived in southern Africa confident of winning, with captain and batter NajmulHossainShanto in top form.
But only MominulHaque (60), Shadman Islam (20) and Shanto (19) reached double figures in a dismal batting performance. The last seven wickets fell for a meagre 27 runs.
Haque was dismissed after failing to get sufficient contact on a Nyamhuri delivery and former captain Craig Ervine took a simple catch at second slip.
Nyamhuri (4-61) was ably supported by new skipper Richard Ngarava (2-18), Blessing Muzarabani (2-19) and Brad Evans (2-30).
After the early losses of openers MahmudulHasan Joy (2) and Islam, Haquestabilised the innings adding 77 runs for the third wicket, leaving the tourists 113-3 after 33.4 overs.
The Zimbabwe bowlers than wreaked havoc, starting with the wicket of Shanto, whose recent knocks included four centuries.
In response, Zimbabwe had 89 runs on the scoreboard before Ben Curran (42) departed, edging the ball to Shanto at second slip off the bowling of Khaled Ahmed.
Kaia, whose 108-ball stand included nine fours, then put on 47 runs with veteran Brendan Taylor (17 not out).
Earlier, Bangladesh squandered a promising position with a dramatic batting collapse to be bowled out for just 140 in their first innings on the opening day of the one-off Test against Zimbabwe at Harare Sports Club on Sunday.
After slipping to 36-2, Bangladesh appeared to have steadied the innings through a 77-run third-wicket partnership between MominulHaque and Captain NajmulHossainShanto.
Mominul led the resistance with a serene 60, his sixth score of fifty or more in his last eight Test innings. His 12-boundary knock was the lone bright spot in an otherwise disappointing batting display.
Shanto contributed 19 before Mominul's dismissal, caught by Craig Ervine off fast bowler Newman Nyamhuri who triggered a sensational collapse. Bangladesh, who were 113-3 at that stage, lost their remaining seven wickets for just 27 runs.
Only opener Shadman Islam (20) also reached double figures, while opener MahmudulHasan Joy was trapped leg-before by Nyamhuri for 2 early in the innings. Brad Evans removed Shadman to leave Bangladesh reeling at 36-2.The collapse also exposed Bangladesh's inexperienced middle order, with debutants TowhidHridoy and Amite Hasan managing just 3 and 4 respectively.
Left-arm pacer Newman Nyamhuri starred with career-best figures of 4-61 to spearhead Zimbabwe's attack.
Captain Richard Ngarava, Brad Evans and Blessing Muzarabani provided excellent support, claiming two wickets each as Bangladesh folded cheaply after electing to bat first.
