Tigers snap losing streak
Under gloomy skies and the imminent threat of rain, Bangladesh managed to overcome all uncertainty and finally snapped their six-match losing streak by registering their first win in Tests yesterday, exactly 450 days after their last success in cricket's longest format.
Off-spinner Nayeem Hasan's five-wicket haul and Taijul Islam's four wickets helped the hosts register a comprehensive innings and 106-run win as Zimbabwe were all out for 189 in their second innings in the second session of the fourth day at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur.
It came as a relief for the Tigers, who have been struggling in Test cricket for quite some time now, having last won a Test against West Indies at home on December 2, 2018. Despite questions over the opponent's strength, this win will surely be a breath of fresh air in the Bangladesh camp.
That win against West Indies in 2018 was Bangladesh's first by an innings in Tests, and yesterday's win was their second. It was the Tigers' 14th win in 119 Tests played so far, and half of those wins have come against Zimbabwe.
Much like in the first innings, it was young Nayeem once again who shone bright as the off spinner bagged his second five-wicket haul in his fifth Test, having registered his maiden fifer on debut against West Indies in 2018.
The 19-year-old ended up with figures of five for 82 in the second innings and bagged nine wickets in the game.
Zimbabwe resumed the day on nine for two in overcast conditions suited for seam bowling, and Abu Jayed started off well in his first spell. But it was left-arm spinner Taijul who picked up the first wicket of the day when he removed Kevin Kasuza.
The other overnight batsman, the experienced Brendon Taylor, looked comfortable until the right-hander lost his cool and his top-edged slog-sweep off Nayeem was caught at short fine leg.
Sikandar Raza and skipper Craig Ervine then tried to build a partnership but the 60-run fifth-wicket stand was cut short when Bangladesh skipper Mominul Haque ran out Ervine for a team-high 43 with a brilliant direct hit, hitting timber when he had only one stump to aim at.
Raza also departed soon for 37 after a magnificent, leaping catch from Mushfiqur Rahim at short-mid wicket off the bowling of Taijul, while Regis Chakabva, who scored 17, was the victim of yet another brilliant catch from Tamim Iqbal.
Tymicen Maruma tried to hang in and scored 41 runs before he became Nayeem's fifth wicket. Taijul then wrapped things up by trapping Charlton Tshuma leg-before.
Bangladesh will play their next Test in early April against a rather tougher opposition in Pakistan, but they ensured yesterday that they will go into the Test with a positive outlook for a change.
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