Taylor’s best helps Zimbabwe post 389

Captain scores 171 on day two of opening Test against Bangladesh.

HARARE: Brendan Taylor carved his way to a career-best score as Zimbabwe posted 389 in their first-innings on day two of the first Test against Bangladesh at the Harare Sports Club yesterday.

The Zimbabwe captain reached 171 before he was caught by wicket-keeper Mushfiqur Rahim off the bowling of Enamul Haque to end his 324-ball stay at the crease.

It was the highest score by a Zimbabwe Test captain and a personal triumph for Taylor, who had come in for some heavy criticism over his form in the country’s poor recent tour of the West Indies.

Bangladesh had few alarms in their reply as they rattled on to 95 for one at the close of play at a rate of almost four an over.

The only wicket to fall was that of left-hander Shahriar Nafees, who got a leading edge to a Kyle Jarvis delivery that Timycen Maruma snaffled at point.

Opener Jahurul Islam (38*) and Mohammad Ashraful (23*) will continue for the tourists today as they look to build a first-innings lead on a track that has some venom for the bowlers.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 19^th, 2013.