Tigers won the first Test against visiting Zimbabwe in a tense chase of their poor 101 runs by three wickets at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in the capital’s Mirpur on Monday. Despite the dreadful performance by Bangladesh top-order batsmen, the Tigers clinched their fifth Test victory against Zimbabwe on the first Test match. Bangladesh reached the target of scoring only 101 runs to win losing seven wickets against Zimbabwe on the third day of first Test match. Taijul Islam`s strategy was simple and his execution was ruthless enough to give him the best bowling figures in Bangladesh history. His 8 for 39 should have heralded a dominant victory, but familiar failings were exposed in the batting and Taijul found himself in the middle again, striking the winning boundary to overhaul a target of 101. Whatever joy Bangladesh had earned from a disciplined bowling performance evaporated with their top three bagged ducks – an event that has happened only twice before in Tests – and the score read 0 for 3. Zimbabwe took a punt and gave Elton Chigumbura the new ball, hoping to exploit a two-paced surface and gloomy overhead conditions and he delivered. All of his four wickets were timely and furthered very real hopes of an unlikely victory. The hosts were 82 for 7, batting disconcerting bounce, but Mushfiqur Rahim knew the target was small enough to cobble past. As calm as he kept himself, he also ensured Taijul did not feel the immense pressure Zimbabwe`s bowlers and their close-in fielders were creating and take Bangladesh to their first international victory in 14 matches. Source: espncricinfo.com
