SYLHET, Nov 5, 2018 (BSS)- Despite left-arm spinner Taijul Islam grabbed 5 for 62 following his 6 for 108 in the first innings to complete his career maiden 10-wickets haul in Test visiting Zimbabwe set a massive 321-run winning target for Bangladesh after the third day of first Test of the two-match series at Sylhet International Cricket Stadium on Monday.
To chase the winning target of 321-runs set by Zimbabwe, Bangladesh stared their second innings cautiously on the third day’s afternoon and scored 26 for no loss. The Tigers still will be needed 295 more runs to win the Test with ten wickets in hand with two more days to go.
The two Tigers’ openers Liton Das and Imrul Kayes on the crease with 14 and 12 runs respectively on the crease as bad light forced to stop the match just before closing of third day’s play.
Bangladesh’s highest successful fourth innings chase was 217-6 against West Indies at St George’s in 2009. The Tigers indeed only thrice scored over 300 runs in the fourth innings, including their highest 413 against Sri Lanka in 2008. All however came at losing-cause.
Earlier, Zimbabwe dismissed their second innings at 181 against Bangladesh after resumed their second innings on the third day with overnight score at 1 for no loss.
Spinner Mehidi Hasan Miraz brought the breakthrough that Bangladesh were looking for early in the morning as he picked up the wicket of overnight Brian Chari (4) while Taijul Islam, who got a six-wickets haul in the first innings then dismissed Brendon Taylor for (24) who gave a catch to Imrul Kayes, after Zimbabwe resumed their second innings on the third day with overnight score at 1 for no loss. Taylor scored 24 off 25, hitting four boundaries.
Mehidy however got the prized wicket of Hamilton Masakadza for 48, ending his 104 balls patient knock that studded with seven fours after lunch before Taijul ran through the Zimbabwean’s middle order. Taijul sent back to Sean Williams making him a clean bowled for 20.
Middle order batsman Peter Moor failed to open his account as he perished to Taijul before giving an easy catch to Liton Das. Taijul then dismissed Sikandar Raza for 25 making him clean bowled to bring back Bangladesh in match. The visitors lost their remaining four wickets adding only 51 runs in the scoreboard.
Apart from Taijul Islam’s five wicket’s haul, Mehidy Hasan finished his spells with 3 for 48 while Nazmul Islam picked up 2 for 27 runs.
Earlier, Bangladesh were dismissed their first innings at 143, the seventh successive Test innings below 200, in reply of Zimbabwe’s first innings total of 282.
Brief score:
Zimbabwe 1st innings – 282 for all, Williams 82, Moor 63 n.o, Masakadza 52, Chakabva 28, Taijul 6/108 and Nazmul 2/49. 2nd innings – 181 for all, Masakadza 48, Sikandar 25, Taylor 24, Williams 20, Taijul 5/62, Mehidy 3/48 and Nazmul 2/27.
Bangladesh 1st innings – 143 for all, Ariful 41 n.o, Mushfiqur 31, Miraz 21, Mominul 11, Chatara 3/19, Sikandar 3/35, Jarvis 2/28. 2nd innings – 26 for no loss, Liton 14 batting, Kayes 12 batting.