Zimbabwe reach imposing total against Bangladesh

Zimbabwe consolidated their position at the end of the second day, batting from beginning to end to pile up a massive total. The tourists were 348 for the loss of seven of their batsmen at stumps.

The two not out batsmen resumed with the overnight score on 20 for 2 on a bright sunny morning in friendly conditions. Mashrafe-Bin-Mortaza removed the dangerous Grant Flower when he tried to play a swinging delivery outside the off stump and caught by Al-Sahariar.

Stewart Carlisle was next to go, edging a Mashrafe delivery to Khaled Masud. He made 33, including four boundaries.

Andy Flower, who had looked in good form from the outset, departed after he played on trying to hit Enamul Haque down the ground. It was a big disappointment for Zimbabwe, who depend heavily upon him. At that point Zimbabwe were struggling with 89 for 5.

There followed a 137-run stand between Craig Wishart and Doug Marillier. This parnership did the trick for Zimbabwe's ambitions for a big total.

Wishart was on the brink of his hundred, only six runs short, when he was run out attempting an improbable single. Marillier was then trapped lbw for a scintillating 73.

After Zimbabwe had lost their seventh wicket at 259, Heath Streak and Travis Friend batted like specialists to take the score to 300. They added another 48 runs towards the close to amass an imposing 348 for 7.

Manjurul Islam, Mashrafe and Enamul Haque took two wickets each.