Zimbabwe rule on Day 1 of Test return

Solid fifties by Hamilton Masakadza and Vusi Sibanda enabled Zimbabwe dominate the opening day of its return to Test cricket, against Bangladesh, in Harare, on Thursday.

Masakadza was unbeaten on 88 as Zimbabwe ended the day on 264-2, at the Harare Sports Club.

Sibanda registered his first Test fifty before departing for 78.

Zimbabwe took early control in its first Test in six years, after being put in to bat, thanks to their top-order batsmen who were involved in stands of 102, 60 and 102.

Medium pacer Rubel Hossain was Bangladesh's only wicket-taker, with figures of 2 for 58.

The one-off Test is Zimbabwe's first since 2005, when a fall-out between senior players and administrators led to an exodus of its top cricketers and self-imposed exile.

Scorecard

Zimbabwe (1st innings):
T Mawoyo c Mahmudullah b R Hossain 43
V Sibanda c Rahim b R Hossain 78
H Masakadza batting 88
B Taylor batting 40
Extras: (b-4, lb-10, w-1) 15
Total: (For 2 wkts in 90 overs) 264

Fall of wickets: 1-102, 2-162.

Bowling: S Islam 17-7-30-0; R Islam 18-1-68-0; R Hossain 18-1-58-2; S Al Hassan 18-2-40-0; A Razzak 19-1-54-0.