Najmul Hossain Shanto and Mominul Haque formed an unbeaten half-century partnership after both openers fell cheaply to take Bangladesh into Lunch break on 84-2 after 24 overs on Day 1 of the first Test against Zimbabwe at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium today.

Shanto is batting on 30 while Mominul is unbeaten on 21 and together they have added 52 runs for the third wicket so far.

Batting first, openers Mahmudul Hasan Joy and Shadman Islam safely negotiated the opening spells of Richard Ngarava and Blessing Muzarabani in overcast condition.

However, their resistance ended when Victor Nyauchi, the third pacer in the side, came into the attack. Shadman was first to depart for 12, edging the ball to slip where Brian Bennet took a sharp catch.

In his very next over, Nyauchi dismissed Joy for 14, getting him caught behind.

Zimbabwe nearly claimed their third wicket in quick succession when Mominul could not deal with an incoming delivery from Muzarabani and ended up gloving it to wicketkeeper Nyasha Mayavo, who dropped an easy catch.

Mominul, who came to bat at No.3, looked edgy throughout the session while Shanto played his shots, having hit five fours so far.