Gripper puts Zimbabwe on firm footing

Opener Trevor Gripper made a career-best 112 as Zimbabwe took control of the second Test against Bangladesh on Thursday, reaching 236 for four by the close on the first day.

Gripper hit 15 boundaries in just over five hours at the crease for his maiden Test century before he was run out by a direct throw from Javed Omar Belim at mid-wicket.

"We now want a big score to win the match by putting Bangladesh under serious pressure," Zimbabwe captain Stuart Carlisle told reporters.

Earlier, Gripper shared an opening stand of 108 with Dion Ebrahim before Mashrafe Bin Mortaza bowled Ebrahim for 41, the batsman edging the ball on to his stumps as he tried to pull.

Left-arm spinner Enamul Haque then trapped Carlisle leg before wicket for 14 just before tea, at which point the visitors were in firm control on 145 for two.

In the final session, Grant Flower, for 33, was also removed by Haque's slow left-arm but his brother Andy, not out 15, and Craig Wishart, on nine, eased Zimbabwe through to the close.

Bangladesh captain Naimur Rahman, who opted to field after winning the toss, used five different bowlers but none of them was able to extract much life from a flat pitch.

The first Test ended in a draw after rain washed out the final two days.

Mail Cricket Editor