Shakib, Rubel propel hosts over 500

Shakib Al Hasan and tail-ender Rubel Hossain have powered Bangladesh to 503 all out in their first innings against Zimbabwe in the Chittagong Test.

The Tigers recorded their highest total against their African rivals surpassing the 488 they made in 2005 at the same ground.

But tourists were giving a resounding reply, gathering 113 for one in 26 overs going at a run rate of 4.34, still trailing Bangladesh by 390 runs.

Rubel scored a quick-fire 45 not out to take the Tigers over the 500-run mark before he ran out of partners.

Shakib guided the middle-order after a double-century stand by openers Tamim Iqbal (109) and Imrul Kayes (130) got them off to a flier.

The tourists had a fluent start with Sikandar Raza smashing two consecutive boundaries off Shafiul Islam in the opening over but lost other opener Brian Chari in the next.

Rubel induced an edge from Chari back to the wicketkeeper, a decision confirmed by the review system.

After that, Raza (54) and Hamilton Masakadza (51) came together for an unbeaten 104 for the second wicket at the close of the day.

The Tigers started the day at 303 for 2 at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium on Thursday.

Tinashe Panyangara struck first forcing Mominul Haque (48) to edge to slips after the batsman had added only two to his overnight score.

Mahmudullah Riyad soon followed after a painstaking 16 off 68 balls. Shingi Masakadza kept it low to hit the batsman’s knee roll for an lbw.

However, Shakib, at the other end, got going with a couple of exquisite drives off Panyangara.

Zimbabwe bowlers turned the screws on the batsmen as captain Mushfiqur Rahim, in at six, survived a couple of close calls.

The tourists, who earned scalps of Mominul and Mahmudullah in the first hour, sent back the Tigers’ captain just before the lunch break.

Hamilton Masakadza a huge blow exploiting the track to keep the ball low. Mushfiqur (15) remained stuck at the crease only to play on to the stumps.

Shakib and Shuvagata Hom Chowdhury kept the scoreboard ticking as the hosts went into lunch on 384 for 5.

The left-handed all-rounder belted Hamilton down the ground reaching his 17th Test fifty with a boundary after the break. Soon he also joined the club of batsmen with 2500 Test runs.

Part-time spinner Raza broke the 50-run sixth wicket stand when Shakib danced down the wicket only to be beaten him in flight and looped a tough catch to Craig Ervine at the cover. His 110-ball 71 was laced with seven boundaries.

Shingi Masakadza took out Taijul Islam (1) in the next over.

Shafiul Islam (10) and Chowdhury (35) walked back in successive overs to leave the Tigers reduced to 451 for nine.

Tail-ender Rubel came with all guns blazing taking 14 runs off a Raza over that included two boundaries and a six.

He bludgeoned three more over the rope to continue his onslaught but ran out of partners when Panyangara went through Jubair Hossain’s gates. Rubel remained unbeaten on 45 off 44 balls.

Raza finished with three wickets while Panyangara, Hamilton and Shingi bagged two wickets each.

The hosts have already taken an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three match Test series.