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Zim Vs Ban Only Test Day 1 Das Misses Out On Ton After Stabilising A Crumbling Ban Innings

ZIM vs BAN | Only Test, Day 1: Das misses out on ton after stabilising a crumbling Ban innings

Liton Das might have missed out in a well deserved hundred agonisingly by only five runs, but he made sure that his team were removed from the clutches of yet another batting collapse. In his endeavour, the wicket keeper batsman was helped by an experienced Mahmudullah Riyadh, who remained not out on 54, when Bangladesh ended the first day at 294-8.

Having lost six wickets for just 132 with all big names like Mushfiqur Rahim, Shakib Al Hasan and skipper Minimum Haque back in the hut, Das and Mahmuddulah joined hands at a very difficult time in the Tiger's innings. However, Das chose attack as his best defence, racing away to what would be only his 9th fifty in his 25th Test.

Attacking all the bowlers, the 26 year-old made a niche for himself and was almost about to reach his maiden Test hundred when a moment of spur turned out to be his demise.

The right handed batter, trying to pull his way to a hundred, gave into the Zimbabwe skipper Brendan Taylor and bowler Donald Tiripano's plans, pulling a short ball straight to an awkward fine leg, set up just for any such shot only. But before getting out, Das had added 138 for the 7th wicket with Mahmudullah.

After Das, Mehedi Hasan Mira went out on the very next delivery putting Bangladesh in a spot of bother once again before the 35 year old partnered with pacer Taskin Ahmed to add unbeaten 24 runs to the total and end the first day's play at 294-8. In the meantime, Mahmudullah reached his 17th Test fifty playing his 50th Test match.

Earlier in the day, Bangladeshi skipper Mominul Haque won the toss and decided to vat first.

His decision didn't bore much fruit as the visiting team were two down with just eight runs on the board. Both wickets were taken by tall fast bowler Blessing Muzarabani. Haque himself tried to build partnerships, adding 60 for the third wicket with Shadman Islam and 38 for the fourth wicket with Rahim.

However, Muzarabani struck again to remove Rahim after Islam had been Islam had been caught of Richard Ngarava's bowling. Shakib and Mominul followed Rahim's suit as they too were out soon, pushing Bangladesh from 106-3 to 132-6.

The 24 year-old Muzarabani remained the pick of the bowlers for Zimbabwe, scalping three wickets while Victor Nayuchi and Tiripano picked two each and a solitary wicket fell in Ngarava's account.

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The greatest gloves in the east: Watch ICC wish MS Dhoni a Django Unchained style birthday

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Ramiz Raja urges western countries to laud subcontinent teams for their commitment to the game

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