Bangladesh got the better of their nerves to seal a three-wicket win over Zimbabwe inside three days in the first Test to take 1-0 lead in the three-match Test series in Dhaka on Monday. Left-arm spinner Taijul Islam a bagged a record 8-39 and played a key hand with the bat to seal the win, which came after the home side nearly made a mess to knock off a paltry target of 101 runs.Three wickets fell before first run was scored and just when it appeared they have recovered from the disastrous start some batsmen decided to gift their wickets to give Zimbabwe some sniff of victory.
But skipper Mushfiqur Rahim kept his cool under pressure and received an invaluable support from Taijul, who was not prepared to spoil his best day in Test cricket for few team-mates’ whim.
The duo added 19 runs for the eighth-wicket to take the Tigers home after they were reduced to 82-7 by Elton Chigumbura-led Zimbabwe medium pacers.
Chigumbura bowled his hearts out to claim 4-21, which was not enough to deny Bangladesh, who were similarly outstanding with the ball.
Fittingly Taijul take the winning shot when pulled Chigumbura for a boundary through backward square- leg as Bangladesh heaved a sigh of relief before erupting in joy.
Mushfiq was unbeaten for 23 runs.
This was only the second Test win for Bangladesh at home and fifth overall in 86 Tests.
Their previous Test win at home came against the same opponent in 2005.
Man-of-the-match Taijul will remember the day for the rest of his life after he surpassed team-mate Sakib Al Hasan’s record of 7-36 against New Zealand at Chittagong in 2008 to set up the new record of best ever bowling in a Test innings for Bangladesh.
His exploits helped Bangladesh dismiss Zimbabwe for 114 runs in the second innings, the lowest total by a team against Bangladesh (Zimbabwe also had the previous lowest score against Bangladesh when they were bowled out for 154 runs in Chittagong in 2005).
Brendan Taylor was the only batsman to provide some resistance in the second innings for Zimbabwe with 45 not out as Taijul exposed the spin fragility of other batsmen with his mesmerising spell.
He generated sharp turn and was also benefitted from uneven bounce to complete his five-wicket haul in one session, something which is a rare feat for a Bangladeshi bowler, if not unique.
Shahadat Hossain and Sakib al Hasan claimed the other two wickets.
Taijul struck in the fourth over of the morning after Zimbabwe resumed third day’s play on 5-0 and completed his second five-wicket haul in three Tests before lunch break.
Shahadat bowled Hamilton Masakadza after the batsman made an error of judgment leaving a ball alone to see it whipped his bails off. Sakib joined the party with the wicket of John Nyumbu as Zimbabwe went to lunch at 94-7.
Taijul then picked up the last three wickets in his three overs after the break the wrap up Zimbabwe innings and seal his name in the record books.
Little did he know that he had still a role to play that would be as crucial as his bowling.
The second Test will begin at Khulna on November 3.
-With New Age input
