Batsmen put Zimbabwe in command

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Batsmen put Zimbabwe in command

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Zimbabwe dominated the first day of their return to Test cricket against Bangladesh.

05 August,2011 11:26 am

Hamilton Masakadza and Vusi Sibanda made half-centuries as Zimbabwe dominated the first day of their return to Test cricket against Bangladesh.Masakadza was 88 not out as Zimbabwe reached stumps at Harare Sports Club on a commanding 264 for two. 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 their first Test in six years after being put in to bat by the Bangladesh captain, Shakib Al Hasan.Zimbabwe had been expected to struggle on their Test return after such a long absence. Criticism of the board this week from the 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 the inexperienced openers Sibanda and Tino Mawoyo (43) began with a solid century opening stand before Masakadza attacked from No3.The one-off Test is Zimbabwes first since 2005, when a fallout between senior players and administrators led to an exodus of their top cricketers and the self-imposed exile.The medium pacer Rubel Hossain was the only wicket-taker for the visitors on a green, bouncy pitch that the Bangladesh seamers failed to take advantage of.The match was watched by the International Cricket Council chief executive, Haroon Lorgat.There is still a long way to go before Zimbabwe can compete consistently with the very best Test nations in the world, but this is a good start, Lorgat said in a statement. They have been responsible by appreciating the need to be patient and gradual as they develop their team. I wish them well.