Bangladesh came all guns blazing to crush Zimbabwe by 220 runs in the one-off Test, denying the hosts dogged resistance on the fifth and final day of the game at the Harare Sports Club.
Zimbabwe batsmen indeed put a herculean effort to resist tireless Bangladeshi bowlers till two sessions on day five before they were shot out for 256, chasing a record 477-run target.
This was Bangladesh’s second largest victory by runs and only 15th Test victory in 124 matches.
Fast bowler Taskin Ahmed was the key in breaking Zimbabwe’s stubborn resistance, claiming his career-best 4-82.
Off Spinner Mehidy Hasan Miraz, who scalped 5-82 in the first innings, returned figures of 4-66 to play a perfect foil to Taskin. Shakib Al Hasan and Ebadot Hossain took the rest of the two wickets.
Resuming the day on 140-3, luck seemed to be with Zimbabwe as Bangladesh fielders shelled the catch of overnight batsmen Donald Tiripano and Dion Myers quite a few times.
But this was only a spot of bother in an otherwise perfect Test of the Tigers. Mehidy Miraz broke the through after the first drinks break of the day as Dion Myers chipped one straight to short mid-wicket to be fallen for 26.
And the wicket cracked the door open with Miraz striking again three balls later, trapping Timycen Maruma leg-before wicket for 0.
Taskin then joined the party, dismissing Roy Kaia for naught and Regis Chakabva for 1 in his consecutive overs to expose Zimbabwe’s vulnerable lower order
