Bangladesh got the better of their nerves to overcome a firm resistance from Zimbabwe, pulling off a 143-run win in the second Test to level the two-Test series 1-1 in Harare on Monday.
The Tigers, who have now got their only fourth win and the first since 2009, took the required six wickets on the final day in less than two sessions despite a dogged century from Hamilton Masakdaza.
Bangladesh have had many heartbreaks on the fifth day of a Test match in their history and therefore there was no celebration until Sakib al Hasan claimed the final wicket of Kyle Jervis to complete the win.
Sakib bowled just two-and-a-half overs on the final day to give his muscle some much-needed rest on the advice of physio and was not given the ball until the fall of the ninth wicket.
However, other bowlers shared the responsibility to make up for his inability to bowl, giving the side a regular breakthrough, without allowing Zimbabwe to raise a hope for any miraculous draw.
The only time they could frustrate the Tigers, it was the first hour in the morning session, when the two overnight batsmen Hamilton Masakadza and Singhi Masakadza survived without much trouble.
Desperate for a wicket, Mushfiqur Rahim gambled with Mohammad Ashraful and it paid off as the former captain earned the much-needed breakthrough, trapping nightwatchman Singhi lbw for 24.
Elton Chigumbura, Zimbabwe’s top-scorer in the first innings, whom they saved for a miracle, soon ruined himself at short midwicket at the hands of Robiul Islam playing an extravagant shot off Sohag Gazi.
While the twin wickets increased Bangladesh’s hopes, Masakadza and Mutumbami survived the session, which did not let the Tigers rest on their laurels.
Mutumbami (12) dragged a delivery from Ziaur Rahman onto his middle-stump, exposing the tail, which finally eased Bangladesh’s nerves. Zia was rewarded again for his consistent line and length, inducing an edge of Graeme Cremer with Nasir Hossain taking the catch at slip to give Bangladesh their eighth wicket.
The increasing chance of a win perhaps softened the mind of umpire Tony Hill, who finally gave a 50-50 decision in Bangladesh’s favour when he declared Kegan Meth lbw off Robiul Islam.
Zimbabwe had still nearly 50 overs to survive with their last wicket pair at the crease. Bangladesh got a chance immediately to seal the win when Jervis edged Robiul but a diving wicketkeeper Muhsfiq could not hold the catch.
A loud appeal by Sakib against Masakadza, who had already completed his century with a six off Zia, fell to deaf ear, giving Zimbabwe a few more overs to survive.
Umpire Ian Gould, however, had no choice but to raise his finger when Sakib made another appeal, this time against Jervis, bringing to an end the intriguing contest as Zimbabwe were all out for 257 runs in their second innings.
This was Bangladesh’s first win on Zimbabwe soil and the third away from home with their previous two wins coming against a depleted West Indies side in 2009.
The win, which came after a heavy 335-run defeat in the first Test, not only helped the Tigers to have a hand on the series trophy, but also saved them from further embarrassment.
Skipper Mushfiqur Rahim was adjudged man-of-the-match for his 93 and 60 in two innings, while Robiul was named man-of-the-series for his 15 wickets in two Tests.
BRIEF SCORES
Second Test
Bangladesh 391 & 291-9 dec v Zimbabwe 282 & 257 in 95.3 overs (H Masakadza 111 not out, V Sibanda 32, S Masakadza 24, R Chakabva 22; Z Rahman 4-63, Sakib al Hasan 3-53, M Ashraful 1013, R Islam 1-53, S Gazi 1-56).
Result: Bangladesh won by 143 runs.
Man of the match: M Rahim (BNG)
Man of the series: R Isalam (BNG)
Series: 2-match series drawn 1-1
-With New Age input
