NEW DELHI: Bangladesh spinners Taijul Islam achieved a major personal milestone despite his side’s heavy defeat to Zimbabwe in the one-off Test in Harare.The left-hander took 7 for 138 from 40.2 overs in Zimbabwe’s first innings to record the 19th fifth wicket of his Test career. The performance helped him move into the top five among left-arm bowlers with the most five-wicket hauls in Test cricket.
Taijul equalizes with Shakib, goes past the Old Man
Taijul’s latest five-for equaled that of the former Bangladesh captain Shakib Al Hasanwith both bowlers now having 19 five-wicket hauls in Test cricket.It also overtook Australia Mitchell Starcwho has 18 strikes with five wickets.The Bangladesh spinner reached the milestone in just 107 Test innings, making him faster than both Shakib and Starc. Shakib needed 121 innings to hit 19 five-fors, while Starc needed 202 innings to register his 18.
There are only three left-handed bowlers ahead
Sri Lankan great Rangana Herath remains clear at the top of the list with 34 hauls with five catches in 93 Tests, along with 433 catches.Former Pakistan fast bowler Wasim Akram is second with 25 five-fors and 414 wickets, while New Zealand legend Daniel Vettori ranks third with 20 five-fors and 362 wickets.Taijul and Shakib now share the fourth spot with 19 five-fours each. Mitchell Starc dropped to sixth on 18, followed by England’s Derek Underwood (17) and India’s Ravindra Jadeja (15).Taijul has now claimed 270 wickets in 60 Tests, underscoring his importance to Bangladesh’s bowling attack.
Zimbabwe recorded their biggest test victory
As Taijul shone with the ball, Zimbabwe dominated the game to record the biggest Test win in their history, beating Bangladesh by an innings and 85 runs at the Harare Sports Club.After winning the toss and electing to bowl, the Zimbabwean pacers tore through the Bangladeshi batting line-up, dismissing the visitors for just 140 in the first innings.Mominul Haque was the only batsman who put up resistance with 60 runs off 81 balls.Newman Nyamhuri played with the ball taking four wickets while captain Richard Ngarava, Blessing Muzarabani and Brad Evans picked up two wickets each.
The Zimbabwean batsmen are piling up the runs
Zimbabwe then responded with a whopping 410 in their first innings to take a big lead of 270 runs.Innocent Kaia led the way with a brilliant 140, while Craig Ervine, Brian Bennett and Wessly Madhevere all scored half-centuries.Despite Taijul’s seven-wicket haul, Bangladesh struggled to prevent the hosts from building on their winning total.
Bangladesh is failing again
Needing a big effort to avoid defeat, Bangladesh were bowled out for 185 in their second innings.Zimbabwe’s fast attack again shared the wickets with Ngarava, Muzarabani, Evans and Nyamhuri making important contributions as none of them went wicketless in any innings.
A historic moment for Zimbabwe
This win was Zimbabwe’s biggest ever in Test cricket, surpassing all their previous margin of victory.It also marked the first time in over 25 years that Zimbabwe had won back-to-back Test matches.Their previous Test win came against Afghanistan in October, when they won by an innings and 73 runs.
