New Delhi: Bangladesh spinner Taijul Islam he made a big impression despite his team’s heavy defeat to Zimbabwe in the one-off Test in Harare.The left-arm spinner took 7 for 138 from 40.2 overs in Zimbabwe’s first innings to register 19 five-wicket hauls in his Test career. This performance helped him join the list of five left-handed bowlers with the most five-wicket hauls in Test cricket.
Taijul matches Shakib, goes past Starc
Taijul’s recent five matches have seen him match the former Bangladesh captain Shakib Al Hasanand both players now have 19 five-wicket hauls in Test cricket.He also advanced to Australia Mitchell Starcwho has 18 wickets for five wickets.The Bangladesh spinner reached the milestone in just 107 Tests, making him the fastest of both Shakib and Starc. Shakib took 121 innings to reach 19 five-fors, while Starc needed 202 innings to register his 18th.
Only three left fielders are ahead
Sri Lanka’s all-rounder Rangana Herath tops the list with 34 five-wicket hauls in 93 Tests, along with 433 wickets.Former Pakistan fast bowler Wasim Akram is second with 25 wickets for 414, while New Zealand hero Daniel Vettori is third with 20 wickets and 362 wickets.Taijul and Shakib now share the fourth spot with 19 fives each. Mitchell Starc has dropped to number 6 and 18, followed by England’s Derek Underwood (17) and India’s Ravindra Jadeja (15).Taijul has now taken 270 wickets in 60 Tests, proving his importance in Bangladesh’s bowling attack.
Zimbabwe has registered a huge Test win
While Taijul shone with the ball, Zimbabwe won the match to record the biggest 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 jumped on the Bangladesh batting line-up, chasing the visitors for just 140 in the first innings.Mominul Haque was the only batsman to concede with 60 runs off 81 balls.Newman Nyamhuri bowled with four wickets while captain Richard Ngarava, Blessing Muzarabani and Brad Evans got two wickets each.
Zimbabwean fighters run
Zimbabwe then responded by scoring 410 in their first innings to take a commanding lead of 270 runs.Innocent Kaia led the way with a superb 140, while Craig Ervine, Brian Bennett and Wessly Madhevere all scored half centuries.Despite Taijul’s seven-wicket haul, Bangladesh struggled to stop their hosts from producing match-winners.
Bangladesh fell for the second time
Needing to work harder to stay unbeaten, Bangladesh were bowled out for 185 in their second innings.Zimbabwe’s pace attack also shared the wickets, Ngarava, Muzarabani, Evans and Nyamhuri all contributed greatly as none of them went unbeaten in the entire innings.
History in Zimbabwe
The victory was Zimbabwe’s biggest ever in Test cricket, surpassing their all-time margin of victory.It was also the first time in more than 25 years that Zimbabwe won back-to-back matches.Their previous win came against Afghanistan in October, when they won by an innings and 73 runs.
