Bangladesh beat Zimbabwe by innings and 106 runs

It's all over in Mirpur! Bangladesh win by an innings and 106 runs, only the second innings victory by the Tigers in Test cricket.

Young off-spinner Nayeem Hasan took five wickets as Bangladesh registred a victory by an innings and 106 runs against Zimbabwe in the lone Test in Mirpur today.

The 19-year-old finished with figures of five for 82 while Taijul Islam took four wickets as Zimbabwe folded for 189 runs in their second essay. Zimbabwe were bowled out for 265 runs in the first innings while Bangladesh set a massive total of 560 for six in their first innings.

This is only the second victory by an innings margin for Bangladesh in their 119-Test history, with the previous innings-victory coming against West Indies in November, 2018 in Mirpur. That incidentally was the last time Bangladesh won a Test match, and had been on a losing streak since. They had played six matches in between, losing five of those by innings margin. Now was their time to dish out the dose on their 'good old buddies' Zimbabwe.

With the second Test of the three-legged Pakistan Tour coming up in April, this victory should give Mominul Haque and Co. confidence after having lost the first Test and the three T20s in Pakistan badly. The captain got a hundred while Nayeem got nine wickets, and despite not bowling all that well, Taijul finished with six wickets in the match. There were some healthy contributions with the bat too, including Mushfiqur Rahim's double ton. It all bodes well for Bangladesh for the moment, but whether they can withstand the quality of Pakistan's bowling and batting come April is another matter altogether.

Zim nine down! Bangladesh were one wicket away from an innings victory as Nayeem Hasan removed Timycen Maruma and Ainsley Ndlovu in quick succession.

Taijul strikes again! Taijul Islam has not bowled the best of spells, but he has prized out three wickets this morning, the latest a brilliant catch by Tamim Iqbal at mid-on to get rid of Regis Chakabva for 18 as Zimbabwe lose their seventh for 165 an hour before Tea.

Six Down! Sikandar Raza fell for 37, hitting a rank long-hop from Taijul Islam to Mushfiqur Rahim, as Zimbabwe lost their sixth wicket for 121 runs, still 174 runs to get to avoid innings defeat with only four wickets in hand. 

Lunch, Day 4:

Skipper Craig Ervine was run out for 43 by his opposite number Mominul Haque as Zimbabwe went for lunch on Day 4 at 114 for five, still trailing Bangladesh's score by 181 runs.

There was a promising 60-run fifth-wicket partnership between Ervine and Sikandar Raza, but Mominul's excellent fielding meant the Zimbawe's first-innings centurion was back in the hut before lunch, leaving his side with a mountain to climb. Raza was batting on 33 and with him was Timycen Maruma. Five sessions remaining in the Test, but dark clouds hang over Mirpur with forecast of afternoon shower. Rain seems to be the only thing that could take this Test and Zimbabwe to a fifth day.

Earlier, Taijul Islam and Nayeem Hasan struck two early blows in the morning, with Taijul removing overnight batsman Kevin Kasuza for 10 and Nayeem dismissing Brendan Taylor for 17.



Stumps: It's 4:49 pm and it's Stumps on day three. Zimbabwe have reached nine for the loss of two wickets, trailing Bangladesh by 286-runs. Mushfiqur Rahim was the star of the show, hitting his third double century in Tests and then Nayeem bagged two wickets with back-to-back deliveries in his very first over to put the tourists in a troublesome position.

[Wicket] 0.3: Zim 0/2 - Another one! Nayeem gets Tiripano to dabble at the delivery and the batsan edges it to Liton Das. He is on a hat-trick. DT Tiripano c †Liton Das b Nayeem Hasan 0 (1b 0x4 0x6) SR: 0.00

[Wicket] 0.2: Zim 0/1 - Bangladesh are off to a great start as Nayeem Hasan goes through Prince Masvaura's defence in the second delivery and castles the batsman. PS Masvaure b Nayeem Hasan 0 (2b 0x4 0x6) SR: 0.00

Bangladesh have declared their innings at 560 for six after Mushfiqur's double hundred.

153.2: Ban 558/6 - Mushfiqur robs back onto the back foot and cuts Ndlovu through the offside for four to bring up his double ton.

Mushfiqur Rahim reached his third double ton in Test cricket during his knock against Zimbabwe. The right-hander already held the record for the greatest number of double centuries for Bangladesh. He struck 200 against Sri Lanka back in 2013 at Galle before he struck an unbeaten 219 in Dhaka against Zimbabwe. Bangladesh have declared their innings following a 295-run lead, after Mushfiqur reached the landmark. The right-hander hit 28 fours during his unbeaten 203 off 318 deliveries.

148.1: Ban 532/6: Liton Das edges one off Sikandar Raza through to the wicket-keeper who just about manages to hang on. Liton had just reached his fifty the previous over and departs after a slow but steady 53. It's a record for Chakabva as well as he becomes the first wicket-keeper to bag five dismissals behind the wicket in Bangladesh. Liton Das c †Chakabva b Sikandar Raza 53 (95b 5x4 0x6) SR: 55.78

144.2: Ban 501/5: Liton sweeps one to bring up the 500 for the Tigers. This is the first time since 2018 that Bangladesh have reached the 500-run mark.

133.2: Ban 456/5: Mushfiqur glides a Nyauchi delivery to third man for four to bring up his 150. 23 fours so far in his innings. 

Tea: Bangladesh have reachhed 434 for five at Tea on day three with their lead at 177. Bangladesh will be hoping just to bat once in this Test by securing a big enough lead. The weather has gotten pretty gloomy here in Mirpur with some drizzle coming our way. There is chance of rain tomorrow as well. The wicket has now been covered as well.

118.2: Ban 421/5 - Ndlovu appeals for a caught behind and the umpire raises his finger without hesitation. Mithun wants a review and replays show there was an edge. Mohammad Mithun c †Chakabva b Ndlovu 17 (23b 3x4 0x6) SR: 73.91

112.6: Ban 400/4 - Mithun charges Ndlovu down the wicket and hits it for four. The boundary brings the 400 up for Bangladesh.

110.2, Ban 394/4: Mominul is the first wicket to fall in the day for Bangladesh as Ndlovu takes a brilliant catch off his own bowling. Mominul, looking to accelerate, hits it straight, trying to send it over the bowler's head. The shot has some venom but Ndlovu reacts brilliantly. Mominul Haque c & b Ndlovu 132 (234b 14x4 0x6) SR: 56.41

101.4: Ban 372/3: Mushfiqur clips one off his pads for a single to bring up the 200-run partnership between him and Mominul.

101.4: Ban 371/3 - Mushfiqur shuffles across the stumps to pacer Tiripano and looked to whip it to the onside but misses it as the delivery wraps him in the pads. Looks like a decent leg-before shout. Tiripano came wide of the crease - too wide in fact as the third-umpire would find out after being consulted following Zimbabwe's decision to review. Tiripano's back foot landed on the line of the wide mark. Back foot no-ball called.

100.3: Ban 357/3 - Mushfiqur robs back on to the back foot and cuts away a slightly short delivery from spinner Ndlovu to reach his seventh Test ton. 18 fours in his brilliant innings so far.

98.6: Ban 351/3: It's 11:31 PM and Lunch has been called on day one with Mushfiqur just one short of a hundred. He would have to wait for the second session to get his ton. It has been a productive session for Bangladesh with 111 runs added to the score in the morning session before lunch was called. The partnership between Mushfiqur and Mominul stands at 173 runs. Bangladesh lead by 86 runs.

Runs have come thick and fast this morning session. 101 runs in 105 minutes now.

82.3: Ban 288/3: Mominul leans forward and times it to perfection through the covers off Tiripano to bring up his ninth Test hundred and his first one as a captain. Welcome return to runs for Mominul Haque who has been struggling with the bat since taking on the captaincy during the India tour. The ball has kept low on ocassions and the duo out there will be aware that a big partnership here can take Zimbabwe out of the game completely.

80.1: Ban 272/3- The second new ball has been immediately take by Zimbabwe.

79.4: Ban 272/4 - Mushfiqur Rahim guides a delivery from Nyauchi towards third man for four to bring up his fifty. Mr Dependable's innings is laced with 10 fours. This also brings up the 100 partnership between Mushfiqur and Mominul.

Mominul Haque and Mushfiqur Rahim will like to extend their 68-run overnight partnership on day three and take Bangladesh to a dominating position in the one of Test against Zimbabwe. It's a bright day and the tourists will be looking to perhaps get through the few overs before taking the new ball. Mominul Haque is now on 82 while Mushfiqur is batting on 38.