Captain Habibul Bashar fell just short of his fourth Test century when he was dismissed for 94 shortly before stumps as his side made a solid 280 for four on the opening day of the first Test against Zimbabwe at Chittagong on Thursday.
Rajin Saleh was 60 not out while opener Nafis Iqbal scored 56 as the hosts moved into a comfortable position in their quest for their first Test victory in their 35th match.
Zimbabwe are playing their first Test since they were suspended by the International Cricket Council last June for fielding a weakened team after a dispute between their board and several leading white players.
Bashar, who had won the toss and elected to bat, scored at an impressive rate against the Zimbabwe attack, making his 94 off 128 balls before he was caught by Zimbabwe captain Tatenda Taibu to give debutant Christopher Mpofu his first Test wicket.
Saleh, who was dropped by Graeme Cremer while on 41, equalled his Test best score of 60 while combining in a 119-run fourth-wicket partnership with Bashar. Aftab Ahmed was six not out at the close.
Earlier, Iqbal combined with Javed Omar in a 91-run opening partnership before Omar was caught behind by Taibu off Elton Chigumbura for 33. Iqbal followed two runs later when he caught by Vusi Sibanda off pace bowler Mluleki Nkala.
Nkala, who was the pick of the Zimbabwe bowlers with two for 22 from 18 overs, grabbed his second wicket when Mohammad Ashraful (19) was caught by Hamilton Masakadza with the score on 153.
Bashar and Saleh then combined before the Bangladeshi captain was dismissed with only three overs remaining in the day's play.
Scoreboard:
Bangladesh first innings
Javed Omar c Taibu b Chigumbura 33
Nafis Iqbal c Sibanda b Nkala 56
Habibul Bashar c Taibu b Mpofu 94
Mohammad Ashraful c Masakadza b Nkala 19
Rajin Saleh not out 60
Aftab Ahmed not out 6
Extras (lb-2 b-1 nb-3 w-6) 12
Total (for four wickets, 90 overs) 280
Fall of wickets: 1-91 2-93 3-153 4-272
To bat: Khaled Mashud, Mohammad Rafique, Mashrafe Mortaza, Tapash Baisya, Enamul Haque jnr
Bowling: Mpofu 19-1-80-1 (nb-1), Hondo 17-4-36-0 (nb-1), Chigumbura 16-4-60-1 (w-6), Nkala 18-8-22-2, Cremer 11-1-56-0 (nb-1), Matsikenyeri 9-3-23-0
Zimbabwe: Barney Rogers, Stuart Matsikenyeri, Vusimuzi Sibanda, Brendan Taylor, Hamilton Masakadza, Tatenda Taibu, Elton Chigumbura, Mluleki Nkala, Graeme Cremer, Douglas Hondo, Christopher Mpofu.
