Zimbabwe on top despite losing late wickets

Zimbabwe’s bowlers were on form on day three however their batsmen didn’t fair quite so well [AFP]

Zimbabwe opened up a 175-run lead over Bangladesh with six second wickets remaining on Saturday, but they were left to rue a late collapse in the final overs at the Harare Sports Club.

After dismissing the tourists for 287 – and a first innings lead of 83 – Zimbabwe were 69 without loss before Bangladesh captured four quick wickets for the addition of just 23 more runs, leaving the hosts on 92 for four.

Openers Tinotenda Mawoyo (35) and Vusi Sibanda (38) looked in good form before Sibanda, who made 78 in the first innings, fell to a catch at midwicket by substitute fielder Nasir Hossain off Rubel Hossain.

Ten runs later, Mawoyo was clean-bowled by Robiul Islam.

First innings centurion Hamilton Mazakadza then offered a feeble shot to Bangladesh skipper Shakib Al Hassan and was caught and bowled for five while night watchman Ray Price was leg before to Abdur Razzak, making only four runs.

Captain Brendan Taylor (five) and former skipper Tatenda Taibu (0) were the not out batsmen.

At the start of the day, Bangladesh resumed on 107 for three in their first innings with Mohammad Ashraful moving on from his overnight 34 to 73 with captain Shakib Al Hassan top-scoring with 68.

The Bangladesh innings might have gone either way. They were 200 for five at lunch, but with the new ball soon due their chances of a first innings lead from that point were remote. And so it proved.

Test debutant Brian Vitori, a left-armer with some pace and aggression, led the Zimbabwe attack well and he took four wickets for 66.

Veteran spinner Ray Price also had some success with two for only 34.