Bangladesh’s left-arm spinner Taijul Islam claimed his 16th five-wicket haul as Zimbabwe stumbled to 227-9 at the close of the first day of the second Test in Chattogram on Monday.
Nick Welch and Sean Williams scored half-centuries for the visitors, but it was Bangladesh’s day as they aimed to level the two-match series after losing the opener.
Zimbabwe made a steady start after winning the toss and choosing to bat but soon lost both openers. Debutant Tanzim Hasan Sakib made the first breakthrough, getting Brian Bennett caught behind off an outside edge.
Taijul Islam struck with the second ball of his spell, bowling Ben Curran for 21 off 50 deliveries. Welch and Williams steadied the innings with a solid partnership, but their dismissals triggered a dramatic collapse.
Taijul was instrumental in the final session, removing Wessly Madhevere for 15 in the 79th over before quickly dismissing Wellington Masakadza for six and Richard Ngarava for a first-ball duck.
With five overs remaining in the day, Taijul claimed his fifth wicket by dismissing Welch for 54, leaving Zimbabwe in deep trouble. However, tailender Blessing Muzarabani, alongside Tafadzwa Tsiga, managed to survive until stumps.
Taijul finished the day with impressive figures of 5-60, while fellow spinner Nayeem Hasan supported him with two wickets.
Bangladesh made three changes for the match, bringing back Anamul Haque and Nayeem Hasan, and handing a Test debut to paceman Tanzim Hasan Sakib. Mahmudul Hasan Joy, Nahid Rana, and Khaled Ahmed were left out.
Zimbabwe also made two changes, introducing debutant leg-spinner Vincent Masekesa and Tafadzwa Tsiga, replacing Victor Nyauchi and Nyasha Mayavo.
Brief Scores:
Zimbabwe: 227-9 in 90 overs (Sean Williams 67, Nick Welch 54; Taijul Islam 5-60, Nayeem Hasan 2-42)
Toss: Zimbabwe
