Sports Reporter :
Left-arm spinner Taijul Islam set an amazing record of capturing eight wickets, guiding Bangladesh to earn a hard-fought three-wicket victory over the touring Zimbabwe on the third day of the first Test at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur on Monday.
The Score: Zimbabwe 240 and 114
Bangladesh 254 and 101 for seven wickets.
Taijul took the charge in demolishing Zimbabwe second innings and finished his superb spell as 16.5-7-39-8. It is the first time that a Bangladeshi bowler bagged eight wickets in single innings of a Test match. He was adjudged the Man of the Match for his match-winning performance.
Electing to bat first, Zimbabwe scored 240 in the first innings on the first day (Saturday).
In reply, Bangladesh made 254 in the first innings on the second day and took a lead of 14 runs only.
Openers Vusi Sibanda and Regis Chakabva resumed their second innings on the third day with their over-night score of five and naught respectively.
But Taijul Islam dismissed Zimbabwe batsmen one after another and thus Zimbabwe were shot out for a paltry 114 in their second innings.
Opener Vusi Sibanda (14) was caught behind by Mushfiqur Rahim off Taijul Islam when Zimbabwe’s total was 19 for the loss of one wicket.
Then Hamilton Masakadza (5) was cleanly bowled out by pacer Shahadat Hossain when Zimbabwe’s score was 24 for the loss of two wickets.
Sikandar Raza made 25 from 32 balls with three fours and two sixes before he was caught at the point by Shakib Al Hasan off Taijul Islam when Zimbabwe’s total was 53 for the loss of three wickets.
Then Regis Chakabva was cleanly bowled out by Shahadat Hossain for five runs when the tourists score was 58 for the loss of four wickets.
Elton Chigumbura (0) was caught at the second slip by Shuvagata Hom off Taijul Islam when the visiting side’s total was 58 for the loss of five wickets.
Later, Craig Ervine (10) was trapped leg before wicket by Taijul Islam when Zimbabwe’s score was 92 for the loss of six wickets.
After dismissal of Ervine, John Nyumbu (1) was caught behind by Mushfiqur Rahim off Shakib Al Hasan when the African’s score was 93 for the loss of seven wickets.
Then Tinashe Panyangara (0) caught at the first slip by Shamsur Rahman off Taijul Islam when the visitors total was 104 for the loss of eight wickets.
After departure of Panyangara, Tendai Chatara (4) was trapped leg before wicket by Taijul Islam when the tourists score was 114 for the loss of nine wickets.
Tafadzwa Kamungozi (0) was caught behind by Mushfiqur Rahim off Taijul Islam and that was the end of Zimbabwe’s second innings.
Brendan Taylor fought back making an unbeaten 45 from 60 balls including eight fours.
Chasing 101 to win, Bangladesh lost their early three wickets for naught.
Tamim Iqbal, Shamsur Rahman and Mominul Haque were dismissed before they opened their account.
Then Mahmudullah Riyad and Shakib Al Hasan put on 46 runs together for the fourth wicket stand before Shakib Al Hasan was caught by John Nyumbu off Tendai Chatara when Bangladesh’s score 46 for the loss of four wickets.
After Shakib’s departure, Mahmudullah Riyad was clean bowled by Elton Chigumbura. Riyad was the highest scorer for Bangladesh. He notched up a sedate 28 off 50 balls. His 78-minute innings was decorated with four fours. When Riyad returned to the pavilion Bangladesh’s score was 62 for the loss of five wickets.
Shuvagata Hom came at the crease but his innings was short-lived as Regis Chakabva off Elton Chigumbura caught him behind for naught. At that time the team’s total was 62 for the loss of six wickets.
After dismissal of Hom, Brendan Taylor off Tinashe Panyangara caught Shahadat Hossain at the second slip for 11. The hosts’ score was 82 for the loss of seven wickets at that time.
Then Mushfiqur Rahim and Taijul Islam contributed 19 runs for the unbroken eighth wicket partnership. Skipper Mushfiqur Rahim remained unbeaten with 23 from 63 balls. His 92-minute gritty innings was ornamented with three fours while Taijul Islam made 11 off 16 balls including one four and one six.
Elton Chigumbura captured four wickets at the cost of 21 runs while Tinashe Panyangara bagged a pair of wickets for 30 runs.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina phoned President of BCB Nazmul Hassan, MP from Dubai and congratulated Bangladesh National Cricket team for their victory against Zimbabwe.
Meanwhile, BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia in a message greeted Bangladesh Cricket team for their success.
