1st Test: Eight-for Taijul takes floundering Bangladesh to win

Spinner also contributes with the bat in three-wicket win against Zimbabwe

DHAKA: Taijul Islam shone with bat and ball as Bangladesh scored a tense three-wicket win over Zimbabwe in the first Test on Monday to grab the lead in the three-match series.

The 22-year-old left-arm spinner became the first Bangladesh bowler to claim eight wickets in an innings, his figures of 8-39 helping in skittling Zimbabwe for 114 in the second innings.

Set a modest target of 101, Bangladesh slipped to 0-3 before Taijul, coming in at 82-7, guided his team home with an unbeaten 15 amid mounting tension on the third day at the Sher-e-Bangla stadium in Dhaka.

Taijul, who put on an unbroken stand of 19 with captain Mushfiqur Rahim (23 not out), was named the man of the match in only his third Test appearance.

It was Bangladesh's fifth Test win in 86 matches and only the second at home after the 226-run win against the same opponents in Chittagong in 2005.

A relieved Rahim said his team needed an all-round improvement despite the win.

"We are not where we want to be, but a win is a win," he said. "Taijul has been wonderful, but the others also contributed. It was a team effort, but we need to start playing big innings to make it count."

Elton Chigumbura claimed 4-21 as Bangladesh almost messed up what should have been a simple chase even on the deteriorating pitch.

Having lost the top three batsmen without a run on the board, the hosts buckled under pressure before Rahim and Taijul bailed them out.
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