THE first Test between Zimbabwe and Bangladesh is in the balance after a first day in which Sean Williams fell 12 runs short of a century.
Williams was the star of the show for the tourists in Sylhet, the left-hander steadying the ship for Zimbabwe after they slumped to 129-4.

Captain Hamilton Masakadza scored 52 of Zimbabwe’s first 85 runs before he became the third wicket of the day. Zimbabwe appeared in trouble when Sikandar Raza followed for just 19, but Williams shifted the momentum in their favour.
His 88 featured nine boundaries as he combined for a stand of 72 with Peter Moor, but Williams was denied a second Test ton as he edged Mahmudullah to first slip just before the final drinks break.

Moor (37 not out) and Regis Chakabva (20 n.o.) saw Zimbabwe to the close on 236-5, the former taking a patient and disciplined approach as he found the rope four times in what is so far a 122-ball stay at the crease.
Taijul Islam (2-86) was the pick of the Bangladesh bowlers, who were frustrated by a slow and low pitch and will look to provide the Zimbabwe lower order much more problems on day two.

ZIMBAWE 1st innings
Hamilton Masakadza lbw Abu Jayed 52
Brian Chari b Taijul Islam 13
Brendan Taylor c Nazmul Hossain Shanto b Taijul Islam 6
Sean Williams c Mehedi Hasan b Mahmudullah 88
Sikandar Raza b Nazmul Islam 19
Peter Moor not out 37
Regis Chakabva not out 20
Extras: (lb-1) 1
Total: (five wkts, 91.0 overs) 236
Fall of wickets: 1-35, 2-47, 3-85, 4-129, 5-201.
Bowling: Abu Jayed 18-3-61-1, Taijul Islam 27-3-86-2, Ariful Haque 4-1-7-0, Mehedi Hasan 21-6-37-0, Nazmul Islam 19-5-42-1, Mahmudullah 2-0-2-1.