Paceman Friend sends Bangladesh reeling

Zimbabwe paceman Travis Friend took his career-best of five for 31 as Bangladesh were shot out for 107 in the first Test on Thursday.

Friend was effectively supported by fellow pace bowlers Henry Olonga, who captured three for 18, and Heath Streak, with two for 30.

Bangladesh struck back at the end of the opening day by reducing Zimbabwe to 20 for two at the close.

Trevor Gripper fell to the fourth delivery of the innings when he was caught by Javed Omar off Manjurul Islam without scoring.

Manjurul struck again in the third over, trapping Dion Ebrahim lbw for three with an inswinger.

Zimbabwe were four for two at that stage but Stuart Carlisle and Grant Flower safely negotiated the remaining 10 overs.

Put in to bat after a rain-delayed start, Bangladesh made such a slow start they had scored only three without loss in seven overs at lunch.

On a soggy pitch, it took 25 minutes for Bangladesh to get off the mark when Al-Sharier cut for a single off Friend in the sixth over.

Friend got his first wicket by trapping Al-Shahriar leg before with the first delivery of the 11th over, then removed Habibul Bashar next ball.

With Olonga coming on as first change, the Bangladesh collapse accelerated and they tumbled to 56 for eight at one stage.

Bangladesh's total reached three figures thanks to Enamul Hoque, who batted at number nine and was top scorer with an unbeaten 24.

The two teams are playing two Tests, followed by three one-day internationals.

Mail Cricket Editor