Zimbabwe made a strong reply after Bangladesh scored its highest ever total of 503 against the African team on the second day of the third test.

At stumps on Thursday, the visitors were 1-113, trailing by 390 runs.

Sikandar Raza was on 54 with Hamilton Masakadza on 51 at stumps.

They shared an unbeaten 104 for the second wicket after Brian Chari nicked one off a Rubel Hossain (1-27) delivery to Mushfiqur Rahim when on naught.

That was the only success for Bangladesh in the last session as Raza and Masakadza played an aggressive brand of cricket to defy the spin bowlers who tormented them in the last two tests.

“I think Bangladesh were hoping for a few more wickets than they had because we got 113 on the board for one and we will definitely take the confidence,” Zimbabwe opener Sikandar Raza said.

“We have toiled hard in the sun and I think the correct way has been shown us by Bangladesh as well, they have done it so consistently. Hopefully we can take the momentum ahead in the next day and the day after.”

Masakadza brought up his third successive fifty hitting seven fours and a six. Raza brought up his third 50 in his fourth test in a knock that included nine fours.

Earlier, Bangladesh, chasing a clean sweep, surpassed the previous best of 488 against Zimbabwe, set in 2005 at Chittagong, when they were bowled out for 503 in their first innings.

They resumed the day on 2-303 after a 224-run opening stand between Tamim Iqbal and Imrul Kayes but Zimbabwe’s bowlers put in a stronger performance over the opening two sessions on day two.

Shakib Al Hasan made 71, Mominul Haque scored 45 while Rubel Hossain smashed a quick 45 not out to entertain the local crowd.

Part time off-spinner Sikandar Raza was the most successful bowler for Zimbabwe, claiming 3-123.

Bangladesh claimed the first test by three wickets and second by 162 runs.