The debacle unfolding at the picturesque Sylhet International Stadium, Bangladesh's newest Test venue that is likely to be stained by an ignominious defeat suffered by the hosts, is a story of two parts.

Home conditions and an opposition perceived to be much weaker make no difference to Bangladesh’s top-order ineptitude as they crumble to 49 for five in the afternoon session of the second day of the first Test against Zimbabwe

Bangladesh left-arm spinner Taijul Islam picks up his fourth five-wicket haul in Test cricket as hosts Bangladesh bowl out Zimbabwe for 282 on the second morning of the first Test at the Sylhet International Stadium.

The sight of fans running onto the field in the middle of a game to get close to their idols has become a common feature nowadays and the same was true as the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium hosted its inaugural Test.

Zimbabwe's top-order batsman Sean Williams put on a Test batting clinic against Bangladesh on the opening day of the inaugural Test at

Q: What are your feelings after having picked up a wicket in the maiden Test in your home town?

"Hopefully it will spin. Also [hoping there will be] something that gives our seamers a chance. We want to see how good they are. When we play away from home,

Rain continued to play foul as Sri Lanka Under-19s posted an eight-wicket victory over Bangladesh Under-19s by Duckworth-Lewis (D/L) method in the third Youth ODI to level the series 1-1 at Dambulla yesterday.

"I always had a dream that Sylhet would host Test matches and finally my dream has come true. It is a great feeling to witness Test cricket in my hometown and the presence of two local boys in the squad -- Abu Jayed and Khaled Ahmed -- is more pleasing.

Bangladesh are playing against Zimbabwe in the first ever Test at Sylhet International Cricket Ground and during the second session, wicket-keeper Mushfiqur Rahim got a nice surprise from a young fan.

Following the wicket of Sean William, Zimbabwe consolidated to reach 236 for five at stumps on Day 1 of the first Test against Bangladesh as Peter Moor and Regis Chakabva saw out the remaining overs without any further loss of wickets.

Former national women’s team cricketer Chamily Khatun was flown to Dhaka on Friday in line with a directive of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

When it comes to standing up in moments of crisis, Mahmudullah Riyad is one name in Bangladesh cricket who has done it more often than not and he has done it not just with bat or ball in hand, but also as a leader.

It is often the case that the challenge to do well becomes harder for the less-fancied side when the format switches to Test cricket as momentum has to be maintained for longer in the five-day game.

In the absence of two stalwarts -- Test and T20 skipper Shakib Al Hasan and opener Tamim Iqbal -- the first Test against Zimbabwe in Sylhet from today will be a test for stand-in skipper Mahmudullah Riyad to maintain the momentum mustered during the whitewash in the preceding three-match ODI series.

Bangladesh's growth in Tests has not quite matched their progress in ODI cricket as just 10 wins in 108 matches show. Among their most monumental results in the format are wins over Australia and England at home on tailor-made pitches that favour spin bowling, so the Tigers may opt for the same strategy when they take on Zimbabwe at the Sylhet International Stadium today in the first match of a two-Test series.

Ravindra Jadeja starred in India's nine-wicket series clinching win over West Indies after the tourists were skittled out for just 104 in the fifth one-day international on Thursday.

The Rajshahi district administration will have former national women's team cricketer Chamily Khatun flown to Dhaka today to receive treatment at the Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU), under a directive from Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

Senior Pakistani batsman Azhar Ali Thursday announced his retirement from ODIs to allow youngsters more chances for the national team while he focuses more on his Test career.

Bangladesh Under-19 took a 1-0 lead in the five-match Youth ODI series against their Sri Lankan counterparts by beating the home side by eight runs in the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern method in the second match in Dambulla yesterday.