Bangladesh reached 23-0 without trouble and extended its lead to 152 after bowling out Zimbabwe for 374 on the third day of the third test on Friday.
Imrul Kayes was batting on 11 with Tamim Iqbal on 8 at stumps, as Bangladesh chases a first 3-0 series sweep.
Legspinner Jubair Hossain claimed a career-best 5-96 earlier to help Bangladesh take a big 129-run lead on the first innings.
“It was not an easy wicket for the bowlers. So, the plan was to have patience and put the ball in the right areas,” Hossain said.
“The wicket will be helpful for the bowlers on the fourth and fifth days. We are playing to win.”
Allrounder Elton Chigumbura struck a career-best 88 but his dismissal prompted a collapse. Zimbabwe lost its last four wickets for 18 runs.
“It is up to us to come out hard (on Saturday) and make sure we restrict them to a lesser score. We want to keep them to something chase-able,” Chigumbura said. “It is going to be a big day for us tomorrow in the field.
“You can’t play the game to try and have a draw after five days. We play every game to win. If we get a chance, we will go for it.”
Sikandar Raza made 82, also his best, while Hamilton Masakadza scored 81. Regis Chakabva was the other notable contributor with 65.
In his third fifty in his fourth test, Raza smashed 10 fours, while Masakadza hit nine fours and cleared the rope once as he got his third successive half century.
After Zimbabwe resumed the day on 113-1, fast bowler Shafiul Islam gave Bangladesh a breakthrough, trapping Masakadza with a gem of a delivery that skidded and jagged back to force the batsman to play across.
Chigumbura held together the innings after Zimbabwe was jolted in the 47th over, when Jubair Hossain took out Brendan Taylor (1) and Raza in three balls.
“I lured Taylor to play short, giving flight in the delivery, and he came in front according to our plan,” Hossain said.
Chigumbura was supported by Regis Chakabva, and added 113 runs for the sixth wicket until Shafiul Islam struck again with the new ball to dismiss Chakabva lbw.
Richmond Mutumbami gave Chigumbura support, and they seemed to be solid but left-arm spinner Shakib Al Hasan induced him with a slower one to claim his 18th wicket in the series. Shakib equaled the national record for most wickets in a series. Enamul Haque Junior also had 18, but in a two-test series against the same opponent in 2005.
Chigumbura was on course of his maiden century but a lazy drive against Jubair Hossain cost him his wicket, and Zimbabwe crumbled quickly to concede a massive lead.
“Chigumbura tried to play the drive shots more often than not,” Hossain said. “We planned to give him the opportunity to play more shots and his drive shot eventually helped us get him.”
Pacer Shafiul Islam took 2-50. Rubel Hossain, Shakib, and Taijul Islam picked up one wicket apiece.
