Zimbabwe pacer Blessing Muzarabani remains confident that his side are ahead of Bangladesh despite the Tigers' 112-run lead after a rain-affected Day 3 of the opening Test at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium on Tuesday. 

Having started the day at 57-1, Bangladesh reached 194-4, thanks to handy Najmul Hossain Shanto (60 not out), Mominul Haque (47) and Jaker Ali (21 not out), before bad light brought an early end to proceedings.

Muzarabani had a good outing as he removed opener Mahmudul Hasan Joy (33) early after a delayed start to the day due to persistent rain which forced the first session to be abandoned. The right-arm quick came back to nick off the experienced Mushfiqur Rahim at the stroke of Tea after Victor Nyauchi removed Mominul. 

As the pair of Shanto and Jaker is the last recognized pair of the hosts and only Mehedi Hasan Miraz can put Zimbabwe trouble during Bangladesh's second innings, Muzarabani, who already took six wickets in the match, remained optimistic about his team's chances.

"We are definitely in the game. Test cricket is all about seeing through day after day. There's more time left in the game. We have the belief, that we are ahead," said Muzarabani in Sylhet on Tuesday.

"It was a tough day for us today. Bangladesh fought really hard. We will take it though. 

"Ideally, [we would want their lead to be] under 200 runs. However, we shouldn't think about the runs. We should think about taking wickets. It won't be easy getting those Bangladesh wickets. We have to show more discipline. 

Zimbabwe could have been in a better position had they taken their catches. They could have had at least one more wicket – the prized scalp of Najmul Hossain Shanto -- but the southpaw was dropped on 26 by wicketkeeper Nyasha Mayavo. Shanto capitalised on the reprieve well and brought up a half-century. 

"He [Shanto] is really playing well right now. But these things [dropping catches] happen in cricket. We are looking forward to tomorrow, a new day. Hopefully, we can start well," he added.