DHAKA (Reuters)
Persistent rain has forced match officials to declare the first Test between Bangladesh and Zimbabwe a draw. It was the first time Bangladesh had escaped defeat in their six Tests so far.

Match referee Hanumant Singh called off the Test on Monday, saying the rain made it impossible to complete the match.

The decision almost certainly averted a Bangladesh defeat. They were 125 for 3 in their second innings at the close of play on Saturday, with Aminul Islam not out on 6 and Mohammad Ashraful yet to score, and needed another 199 runs to make Zimbabwe, who scored 431 in their first innings, bat again.

Zimbabwe's Australian coach Geoff Marsh said he was disappointed the rain had robbed them of a probable victory.

And Brian Murphy, in his first match as Zimbabwe's captain, said: "It is really unfortunate that the rain came down as we were in the driving seat."

The second and last Test of the series will begin in the south-eastern port city of Chittagong on November 15.

© Wisden CricInfo Ltd