Taijul Islam’s spin masterclass on a pace-friendly Harare surface was largely unexpected, but the left-arm spinner once again delivered when Bangladesh needed him most. His seven-wicket haul halted Zimbabwe’s charge and prevented the hosts from building an even bigger lead in the one-off Test.
Without Taijul’s heroics, Zimbabwe’s advantage could easily have gone well beyond 270. Instead, Bangladesh found a way back into the contest after being bowled out for just 140 in their first innings.
Still, the visitors ended the second day with some discomfort after losing opener Shadman Islam early in their second innings. Chasing a 270-run deficit, Bangladesh finished the day on 40 for 1, with Mahmudul Hasan Joy and Mominul Haque seeing off the remaining overs. They will resume on the third day still trailing by 230 runs.
Starting the day four runs behind, Zimbabwe lost Brendan Taylor early, but Innocent Kaia’s brilliant 140 put the hosts firmly in control. Kaia and Brian Bennett added 107 runs for the third wicket before Taijul broke the stand by taking a return catch to dismiss Bennett.
The spinner then removed centurion Kaia, who was deceived in flight and offered a catch to Shadman at silly mid-off while attempting a flick. Craig Ervine fell for 60 after top-edging a sweep to Hasan Mahmud at fine leg, while Brad Evans was trapped lbw by one that skidded on.
Taijul completed the 19th five-wicket haul of his Test career by forcing Newman Nyamhuri to give a catch to Towhid Hridoy. The wicket saw him equal Shakib Al Hasan’s record for the most five-wicket hauls in a Test innings by a Bangladeshi bowler.
He was not done yet. Before Zimbabwe could stretch their lead beyond 300, Taijul also dismissed Richard Ngarava and Blessing Muzarabani to finish with figures of 7 for 138 from 40.2 overs, including one maiden. It is the best bowling performance by a Bangladeshi bowler in an away Test.
The left-arm spinner has now taken five wickets in an innings six times outside Bangladesh, the most by any Bangladeshi, and this was the third seven-wicket haul of his career.
Beyond the records, however, the spell reflected everything that has defined Taijul’s career. He kept bowling tirelessly, without complaint, maintaining his repeatable action through long spells and responding every time captain Najmul Hossain Shanto turned to him.
On a surface where the fast bowlers, including Hasan Mahmud and Ebadot Hossain, struggled for control and leaked runs, Taijul emerged as Bangladesh’s saviour. He removed Zimbabwe’s centurion, broke crucial partnerships and cleaned up the tail before the innings could spiral further away from the visitors.
Yet, despite Taijul’s outstanding effort, Bangladesh are still paying the price for their first-innings collapse. Being bowled out for 140 was damaging enough, but losing their last eight wickets for just 27 runs has left them with a mountain to climb in the Test.
