Bangladesh defeated Zimbabwe by 218 runs on the final day of the second Test in Dhaka to draw the series 1-1, with Mehidy Hasan Miraz taking five second-innings wickets.
Chasing 443 for a 2-0 series win, Zimbabwe resumed their second innings on 76-2, with Brendan Taylor and Sean Williams at the crease. Williams was bowled after adding just seven runs to his overnight score, and Sikandar Raza (12 off 33 balls) and Peter Moor (13 off 79 balls) offered good support to Taylor as they lifted the score to 186-4, but the loss of Moor sparked a lower-order collapse as Zimbabwe crumbled to 224 off 83.1 overs.
Zimbabwe were hampered by the loss of Tendai Chatara from the attack of Bangladesh’s first innings, forcing him to miss out on both innings with the bat, although his Test average of 6.42 makes it unlikely that he would have changed the course of the match.
Taylor was the one bright spark of Zimbabwe’s second innings, the 32-year-old constructing a patient 106 not out off 167 balls, with 10 fours. It was Taylor’s sixth Test century, his second of the Test, as well as his fifth against Bangladesh, and the second time he had scored a century in both innings of a Test match.
Mehidy Hasan Miraz was magnificent with the ball, returning figures of 18.1-5-38-5 (econ 2.09) to take home eight wickets for the match, while Taijul Islam picked up 2-93 (econ 2.51) in the second innings to add to his first innings five-for.
Mushfiqur Rahim took the Player of the Match honours for his record-breaking undefeated 219 in Bangladesh’s first innings, while Taijul Islam claimed the Player of the Series honours.
‘I think the boys were determined enough and showed their character. They stuck to their task,’ said Bangladesh captain Mahmudullah. ‘With Mushy and Mominul, we built up the partnership, and they gave us some good runs in the first innings. Taijul was brilliant with the ball. I was struggling a bit and I have to improve to contribute to the team more. I’d like to thank the groundsman for this beautiful wicket.’
‘We knew Bangladesh would come hard at us … but I thought the boys showed character, especially after going so far behind in the first innings. Losing that second session on the first day’s play really put us behind in the game. World-class from Brendan. We have always known how good he is,’ said Zimbabwe captain Hamilton Masakadza.
Quotes: ESPNCricinfo
Photo: Munir uz Zaman/AFP/Getty Images
