Ervine hits ton for Zimbabwe

February 23, 2020

DHAKA: Skipper Craig Ervine scored a dogged century as Zimbabwe shared the honours with Bangladesh on the opening day of the one-off Test in Dhaka on Saturday.

Ervine hit 107 off 227 balls -- his third century in Tests -- as the visitors reached 228-6 at stumps after opting to bat first in what is the 100th international match between two teams. Off-spinner Nayeem Hasan bowled Ervine, who struck 13 fours, shortly before the stumps before finishing with 4-68, the best return for the home side on the opening day.

Nayeem helped Bangladesh restore balance in the contest with two wickets each in the final two sessions after Zimbabwe made a cautious start. Pace bowler Abu Jayed struck early to remove opener Kevin Kasuza for two as Nayeem took a catch at gully after first run from the bat in Zimbabwe’s innings came in the seventh over.

But other opener Prince Masvaure -- who made 64 off 152 balls with nine fours -- shared a 111-run with Ervine for the second wicket to put Zimbabwe in control.

Nayeem removed Masvaure with a sharp return catch shortly after the batsman was dropped by Najmul Hossain at slip on 59 runs. Brendan Taylor, who scored a century in both innings in his previous Test in Mirpur in 2018, soon followed Masvaure as Nayeem bowled him for 10. The experienced right-hander attempted a reverse sweep but could only connect the ball with his gloves before it smashed onto his stumps.

Zimbabwe first innings

P. Masvaure c&b Nayeem 64

K. Kasuza c Nayeem b Jayed 2

C. Ervine b Nayeem 107

B. Taylor b Nayeem 10

S. Raza c Liton b Nayeem 18

T. Maruma lbw b Jayed 7

Regis Chakabva not out 9

D. Tiripano not out 0

Extras (b4 lb 4 w3) 11

Total: (six wickets. 90 overs) 228

To Bat: V. Nyauchi, A. Ndlovu, C. Tshuma