Zimbabwe 4-149 in first Bangladesh Test

Zimbabwe are 4-149 at tea on day one of the first Test against Bangladesh in Sylhet after half-centuries by Sean Williams and captain Hamilton Masakadza.

Zimbabwe captain skipper Hamilton Masakadza is 52no in the first Bangladesh Test in Sylhet. (AAP)

Sean Williams has scored a fighting half-century for Zimbabwe to reach 4-149 at tea on Saturday's opening day of the first Test in Bangladesh.

Williams, unbeaten on 53, steadied the innings for the tourists after paceman Abu Jayed dismissed captain Hamilton Masakadza for 52 in the first over after lunch.

Masakadza, who had won the toss and chosen to bat, was patient on a flat Sylhet pitch and brought up his eighth half-century, off 94 balls with four boundaries and two sixes, just before lunch.

But Jayed found some movement off the pitch to trap Masakadza lbw straight after the interval.

Left-arm spinner Taijul Islam made early inroads with the new ball, dismissing opener Brian Chari for 13 after he needlessly charged a straight ball and was bowled.

Taijul (2-62) also claimed the prized scalp of Brendan Taylor (6), who offered a low catch at short leg.

Skinadar Raza and Williams combined for a 44-run partnership for the fourth wicket to steady the innings before left-arm spinner Nazmul Islam dismissed Raza (19) for his maiden wicket.

Williams and Peter Moor (5no) saw the visitors through to tea.