Tigers level Test series

Beat Zimbabwe by 218 runs

Off-spinner Mehidy Hasan claimed his fifth five-for to spoil Brendan Taylor’s century in both innings as Bangladesh leveled the two-match series with a comprehensive 218-run victory over Zimbabwe in the second Test at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium yesterday. A victory was in eye-sight ever since Bangladesh left Zimbabwe doing the unthinkable –chase a record 443-run or survive four sessions. Brendan Taylor fought valiantly, only to give a remote hope but at the end it was the result that Bangladesh expected.

Mehidy’s five for 38 effectively dismissed Zimbabwe for 224 in their second innings, despite a courageous 106 not out from Taylor, when the visitors was chasing a target that was never achieved in Test cricket’s 141-year history.

Mehdiy underlined his importance as an all-rounder in absence of Shakib Al Hasan with figures of eight for 99 in the match, alongside his 64 not out and 27 not out in batting.

If Mushfiqur Rahim’s 219 not out, highest Test innings by Bangladeshi batsman, Mominul Haque’s 161 and stand in skipper Mahmudullah’s (101 not out) first century in eight years paved the way for great comeback after a shocking 151-run defeat to Zimbabwe in the first Test, Mehidy and Taijul who also had match figures of seven for 200 gave the finishing touch to script Bangladesh first Test victory this year.

Taylor who scored 110 in Zimbabwe’s first innings resisted Bangladesh spinners but hardly got the support from other end with Zimbabwe had one batsman short following the injury of Tendai Chatara.

It was Taylor’s second twin century in a Test following his 171 and 102 not out in 2013, also against Bangladesh. Taylor is the third Zimbabwe batsman to get both innings century after Flowers Brothers (Andy and Grant).

Opener Brian Chari was the other notable contributor for Zimbabwe with 43.

Resuming the day on 76 for two and eying to survive the whole day to eke out a draw and sealed their first Test series victory since 2011, Zimbabwe began cautiously with Taylor leading from the front.  Pace bowler Mustafizur Rahman (1-19) gave Bangladesh a breakthrough, dismissing Sean Williams (13) with extracting extra bounce off the pitch.

Left-arm spinner Taijul Islam (2-93) continued tormenting Zimbabwe, with his guile and turn to which Sikandar Raza perished after scoring 12. Taijul who earlier claimed three straight five-for, ended the series with 18 wickets.

Taylor and Peter Moor then demonstrated a patience and serenity to raise the hope of earning a draw, before Mehidy fired a quicker delivery to manage an inside-edge of Moor, ending the stubborn 66-run partnership. Moor played 79 balls to score only 13.

But the big blow came when Regis Chakabva was run out for 2, that effectively ended Zimbabwe’s chance of survival.

Mehidy then took less than half-an-hour to clean up the tail, leaving Taylor stranded on 106.

Bangladesh had earlier declared the first innings on 522-7, riding on Mushfiqur Rahim’s career best 219 not out and Mominul Haque’s 161. Zimbabwe were shot out for 304 in their first innings, conceding 218 runs lead. The hosts then managed 224-6, after skipper Mahmudullah’s first century in eight years, leaving Zimbabwe in a record chase to win the series.

Tigers level Test series

Beat Zimbabwe by 218 runs

Off-spinner Mehidy Hasan claimed his fifth five-for to spoil Brendan Taylors century in both innings as Bangladesh leveled the two-match series with a comprehensive 218-run victory over Zimbabwe in the second Test at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium yesterday. A victory was in eye-sight ever since Bangladesh left Zimbabwe doing the unthinkable chase a record 443-run or survive four sessions. Brendan Taylor fought valiantly, only to give a remote hope but at the end it was the result that Bangladesh expected. Mehidys five for 38 effectively dismissed Zimbabwe for 224 in their second innings, despite a courageous 106 not out from Taylor, when the visitors was chasing a target that was never achieved in Test crickets 141-year history. Mehdiy underlined his importance as an all-rounder in absence of Shakib Al Hasan with figures of eight for 99 in the match, alongside his 64 not out and 27 not out in batting. If Mushfiqur Rahims 219 not out, highest Test innings by Bangladeshi batsman, Mominul Haques 161 and stand in skipper Mahmudullahs (101 not out) first century in eight years paved the way for great comeback after a shocking 151-run defeat to Zimbabwe in the first Test, Mehidy and Taijul who also had match figures of seven for 200 gave the finishing touch to script Bangladesh first Test victory this year. Taylor who scored 110 in Zimbabwes first innings resisted Bangladesh spinners but hardly got the support from other end with Zimbabwe had one batsman short following the injury of Tendai Chatara. It was Taylors second twin century in a Test following his 171 and 102 not out in 2013, also against Bangladesh. Taylor is the third Zimbabwe batsman to get both innings century after Flowers Brothers (Andy and Grant). Opener Brian Chari was the other notable contributor for Zimbabwe with 43. Resuming the day on 76 for two and eying to survive the whole day to eke out a draw and sealed their first Test series victory since 2011, Zimbabwe began cautiously with Taylor leading from the front. Pace bowler Mustafizur Rahman (1-19) gave Bangladesh a breakthrough, dismissing Sean Williams (13) with extracting extra bounce off the pitch. Left-arm spinner Taijul Islam (2-93) continued tormenting Zimbabwe, with his guile and turn to which Sikandar Raza perished after scoring 12. Taijul who earlier claimed three straight five-for, ended the series with 18 wickets. Taylor and Peter Moor then demonstrated a patience and serenity to raise the hope of earning a draw, before Mehidy fired a quicker delivery to manage an inside-edge of Moor, ending the stubborn 66-run partnership. Moor played 79 balls to score only 13. But the big blow came when Regis Chakabva was run out for 2, that effectively ended Zimbabwes chance of survival. Mehidy then took less than half-an-hour to clean up the tail, leaving Taylor stranded on 106. Bangladesh had earlier declared the first innings on 522-7, riding on Mushfiqur Rahims career best 219 not out and Mominul Haques 161. Zimbabwe were shot out for 304 in their first innings, conceding 218 runs lead. The hosts then managed 224-6, after skipper Mahmudullahs first century in eight years, leaving Zimbabwe in a record chase to win the series.