Hamilton Masakadza batted all day for his fourth Test ton and highest format score to put Zimbabwe in contention for a first-innings lead in the second game with Bangladesh.
The number-three batsman has 154 not out to his name in a total of 331 for five, 102 behind the Tigers who lead the best-of-three series.
The 31-year-old right-hander, playing in his 28th Test, helped the tourists recover from 189 for five thanks to unbroken stand of 142 with Regis Chakabva on day three at Khulna.
Masakadza could have fallen in today’s second over when he edged left-arm spinner Taijul Islam through the legs of Shamsur Rahman at slip.
Taijul eventually struck by removing opener Brian Chari for a sluggish 25 to end a stand of 67. An alliance of the same value followed thanks to a smooth 37 from captain Brendan Taylor.
Taylor was the first of three wickets, all to catches round the bat, in six personal overs for Shakib Al Hasan, which left Zimbabwe in trouble. During that spell Shakib, who hit a century yesterday, could have snared Masakadza on 74 but the batsman survived a tough slip chance.
Chakabva overturned a Shakib lbw verdict early in his innings shortly before his partner went to three figures.
With Chakabva having raised his second Test fifty, Masakadza showed more attacking intent to pass 150 just ahead of stumps.
Bangladesh’s difficult day was at least offset by seamer Al-Amin Hossain, who played in the first Test but is not featuring in this one, being cleared of having an illegal bowling action.