Zimbabwe soldier on in Khulna

Khulna - Hamilton Masakadza brought up his fifth half century to guide Zimbabwe to 140-2 at lunch on the third day of the second Test against Bangladesh on Wednesday.

Masakadza was batting on 63 with captain Brendan Taylor on 32 at the break after Zimbabwe resumed the day on 53-1.

Brain Chari was the only batsman to dismissed in the morning session when he lofted a full length delivery off Taijul Islam (2-54) to Tamim Iqbal at mid-off. The test debutant made 25 runs.

It could have been a better session for Bangladesh had Shamsur Rahman not missed Masakadza's catch twice at first slip. Masakadza was on 15 when he edged a Rubel Hossain delivery in the second over, then offered another possible catch off Islam the next over.

Masakadza made Bangladesh pay the price for the misfields, playing some attractive strokes around the wicket with eight fours.

Brendan Taylor was also solid, blunting the spin threat playing a fluent knock that includes four boundaries and a six.