A Friend in need

Travis Friend's domination of the First Test here continued yesterday as Zimbabwe closed in on victory against Bangladesh.

Friend, who resumed the third day on 38, was eventually bowled for 81 by Enamul Haque with Zimbabwe reaching 431 runs – a lead of 324. The pace bowler, who took 5 for 31 in the first innings, then knocked over a further two batsmen as Bangladesh reached the close on 125 for 3.

Zimbabwe started the day on 348 for 7, but Friend's 118-run stand with Heath Streak was ended in the fourth over with the dismissal of his partner. Former captain Streak became the third of debutant Mashrafe Bin Mortaz's four victims when he was caught by Khaled Mashud for 65. But Friend continued to torment the home attack and shared a half-century partnership with captain Brian Murphy before his 161-ball knock, which included nine fours, was ended.

Murphy had made 25 when he fell to Bin Mortaz; the Bangladesh seamer finished with 4 for 106.

In reply, Friend dismissed Al Sahariar (five) in only his second over before Javed Omar and Habibul Bashar steadied the ship with a 102-run stand. But before the close the tourists struck back to remove both the danger men.

Omar (32) was first to go to Douglas Marillier – and Bashar, who made a first-ball duck in the first innings, went for 65. He fell to Friend, who finished the day with 2 for 26.