Tamim Iqbal and Imrul Kayes set a new record opening partnership for Bangladesh on Wednesday. The left-handed duo added 224 for the first wicket in the third Test against Zimbabwe in Chittagong.

Opting to bat first after winning the toss, the impressive stand put the hosts firmly on course to complete a 3-0 series sweep.

Part-time off-spinner Sikandar Raza broke the partnership shortly after the tea interval when Tamim (109) danced down the track but misdirected his shot and was caught by Hamilton Masakadza.

Bangladesh's previous highest score for the first wicket was 185, set by the same pair against England at Lord's in 2010.

The 224-run stand was Bangladesh's third best for all wickets in a Test match.

At stumps, they were 303 for 2 after 90 overs.

Mominul Haque was unbeaten on 46, with Mahmudullah on 15.

The hosts won the first Test in Dhaka by three wickets and took an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series with a 162-run win at Khulna.

Scorecard

Bangladesh (1st innings):

T. Iqbal c H. Masakadza b Raza 109

I. Kayes c sub b H. Masakadza 130

M. Haque not out 46

M. Mahmudullah not out 5

Extras: (b-2 lb-5 w-6) 13

Total: (for 2 wickets, 90 overs) 303

Fall of wickets: 1-224, 2-272

To bat: S. Al Hasan, M. Rahim, S. Hom, T. Islam, S. Islam, R. Hossain, J. Hossain

Bowling: T. Panyangara 14-1-46-0, E. Chigumbura 10-3-29-0(w-4), S. Masakadza 15-3-50-0(w-2), N. M'shangwe 25-3-85-0, S. Raza 21-0-74-1, B. Chari 2-0-9-0, H. Masakadza 3-1-3-1.

Umpires: Aleem Dar and Chris Gaffaney

TV umpire: Kumar Dharmasena

Match referee: Chris Broad

Image: Imrul Kayes and Tamim Iqbal

Photograph: Christopher Lee/Getty Images