Left-arm spinner Taijul Islam claimed a seven-wicket haul but Zimbabwe posted 410 in its first innings of the one-off Test
against Bangladesh, taking a huge 270-run lead at Harare Sports Club on Monday.
By doing so, Taijul, the highest wicket-taker of Bangladesh in Test format registered his 19th five-wicket haul, equaling the record of Shakib Al Hasan.
Opener Innocent Kaia led the charge for Zimbabwe, hitting 140. Wessly Madhvere was unbeaten on 77 while Craig Ervine and Brian Bennett made 60 and 59 runs respectively.
Resuming the Day 2 at 136-1, Zimbabwe lost overnight batter Brendan Taylor 17 in the fourth over of the day. Pacer Syed Khaled Ahmed dismissed him to leave Zimbabwe 149-2.
From then on, Taijul took all seven out of eight wickets, including five in a row after Tea session.
After the dismissal of Taylor, Kaia and Brian Bennett combined to frustrate the visitors with a 107-run partnership for the third wicket, putting Zimbabwe firmly in command.
Bennett fell for an aggressive 59 off 67 balls, hitting nine boundaries before Taijul Islam broke the stand.
Taijul struck another crucial blow a few overs later by dismissing Kaia for a superb 140 off 227 deliveries. Kaia's maiden Test century featured 17 boundaries and laid the foundation for Zimbabwe's commanding position.
Bangladesh briefly sensed an opportunity when Tafadzwa Tsiga was run out for one just two balls after Kaia's dismissal, leaving Zimbabwe at 280-5.
But Ervine and Madhevere denied the visitors any further success, batting with unwavering resolve.
Taijul got the better of Ervine to break the 102-run partnership and triggered a collapse which saw Zimbabwe lost last five wickets for 28 runs. He eventually finished with 7-138. Khaled took 2-68.
Bd-pratidin English/Lutful Hoque
