Taijul Islam claimed Bangladesh’s best-ever bowling figures and then hit the winning runs as the Tigers claimed only the fifth Test victory in their history over Zimbabwe.
The three-wicket success in Dhaka is Bangladesh’s second in the past five years, having also defeated Zimbabwe in Harare last April, with Taijul producing one of his country’s most impressive individual showings.
The slow left-armer, playing his third Test, claimed 8-39 to skittle the tourists for 114 on the third morning of the first contest.
That made him the first Bangladeshi to take eight wickets in an innings, surpassing Shakib Al Hasan and Enamul Haque’s seven-strong hauls.
But his magical day was not done, courtesy of another batting collapse as the hosts set off in pursuit of a modest 101 for victory.
The score was a precarious 82 for seven when Taijul arrived but he scored 15 not out, including the decisive boundary to seal the result.
The day had started with Zimbabwe five without loss and looking to build a sizeable lead. Less than 34 overs later they were all out and on the way to a bruising defeat.
Taijul drew first blood in the fourth over, Vusi Sibanda nicking behind, and Shahadat Hossain followed up by flattening Hamilton Masakadza’s off stump.
Sikandar Raza took the counter-attacking approach in his 25, launching Taijul for successive sixes before being caught attempting a third.
The spinner was soon running riot, having Regis Chakabva and Elton Chigumbura caught in the slips three balls apart before an lbw decision against Craig Ervine gave him a five-wicket haul.
Shakib briefly interrupted his team-mates tour de force when he had John Nyumbu caught at the wicket, but Taijul finished the job on his own after lunch.
Tinashe Panyangara fell for a duck and Taijul mopped up Tendai Chatara and Tafadzwa Kamungozi with consecutive balls to etch his name in Bangladesh’s record books.
Brendan Taylor, meanwhile, was left stranded on 45 not out.
But batting got no easier once the home side padded up, with Zimbabwe striking three times before a run had been scored.
Chigumbura accounted for Tamim Iqbal and Mominul Haque, while Panyangara bowled Shamsur Rahman.
Three figures seemed a long way off but Mahmudullah’s 46-run stand with Shakib, during which Nyumbu reprieved both men, restored balance.
Shakib was unable to see it through, Nyumbu finally holding a chance off Chatara.
Chigumbura returned to continue the charge, dismissing Mahmudullah for 28 and sending back Shuvagata Hom three balls later.
At 62 for six, a nervy finish looked certain but there was to be just one more wicket – Shahadat offering a low catch to give Panyangara a second success.
Captain Mushfiqur Rahim, who is now his country’s most successful ever Test skipper, provided the calm head required, compiling an unbeaten 23, while Taijul’s dream day extended to clipping Chigumbura for four to finish the match.
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