Taijul Islam sparked a dramatic Zimbabwe collapse on the first day of the second Test against Bangladesh in Chattogram, claiming the 16th five-wicket haul of his career to put the hosts firmly in control.
Zimbabwe had looked well-placed at 200 for 4 at one stage, but Taijul’s inspired spell saw them slump to 227 for 9 by the close of play. He finished with impressive figures of 5 for 60, aided by two wickets from Nayeem Hasan and one from debutant Tanzim Hasan.
Sean Williams top-scored for Zimbabwe with a patient 67, while Nick Welch contributed 54 before cramps forced him to retire briefly after tea. Welch later returned to the crease but added just one more run before becoming Taijul’s fifth victim.
The visitors had made a bright start after being asked to bat, with Brian Bennett striking five boundaries in the first ten overs. Although he was fortunate with the first, he soon impressed with a straight drive and a trademark cover drive. However, his innings was cut short when he edged a drive on the up to the wicketkeeper, handing Tanzim his maiden Test wicket.
Bangladesh missed an early chance to build pressure when Shadman Islam dropped Welch at slip when he was on just 1. Taking advantage, Welch and Ben Curran counter-attacked, each launching a six to push Zimbabwe’s scoring rate.
Curran’s resistance ended when he inside-edged Taijul onto his leg stump for 21. Zimbabwe, however, consolidated in the second session without further loss, with Williams playing the more dominant hand during his stand with Welch.
Williams looked in fine touch, finding the boundary regularly through the covers, point, and on the leg side. He struck one six, lofting Mehidy Hasan Miraz over long-on with a neat skip down the wicket.
A mix-up between Williams and Welch in the 33rd over nearly cost Zimbabwe a wicket, but Bangladesh failed to capitalise on poor communication in the field. Both batsmen suffered from cramps late in the session, with Williams requiring attention to his lower body and Welch’s hands visibly seizing up.
Welch retired hurt after tea, but Zimbabwe’s innings unravelled swiftly thereafter. Nayeem dismissed skipper Craig Ervine for 5 before Williams fell, brilliantly caught by Tanzim at backward square leg after a well-crafted 67 off 166 balls.
Bangladesh tightened their grip, conceding just 18 runs in the first 16 overs of the final session. Although Wessly Madhevere briefly counter-attacked, striking two boundaries off Nayeem, Taijul soon removed him with a delivery that spun away just enough to take the edge.
With the second new ball, Taijul struck twice in his first over, dismissing Wellington Masakadza and Richard Ngarava. Tafadzwa Tsiga was then run out after a disastrous attempt at a quick single, falling well short of his ground.
Welch returned to continue his innings but was bowled almost immediately by Taijul, who completed his five-wicket haul and wrapped up a dominant day for Bangladesh.