Taijul's five-for leads Bangladesh fightback as Zimbabwe slump to 227/9

Bangladesh made an impressive fightback on a sweltering opening day in Chattogram, clawing their way back into the match after a strong start from Zimbabwe, who closed the day at 227/9 in their first innings.

The day began with disappointment for Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto, who lost the toss at the Birshreshtha Shaheed Flight Lieutenant Matiur Rahman Stadium. Zimbabwe skipper Craig Ervine chose to bat first, eyeing a big score on a dry surface offering far less grass than Sylhet.

"There's much less grass here compared to Sylhet. The pitch looks quite dry. We want to bat first and put up a big total," said Ervine at the toss.

Shanto admitted that Bangladesh too would have preferred to bat but remained optimistic: "We would have batted first as well. But it's no problem. The first three days in Chattogram usually offer good conditions for batting. We hope to make the most of it."

After their embarrassing defeat in Sylhet, Bangladesh faced the grim prospect of losing a home Test series to Zimbabwe for the first time in 21 years. Motivated by the need to stay alive in the series, Shanto's side took the field with three changes — including the debut of young pacer Tanzim Hasan Sakib.

The 21-year-old, a 2020 Under-19 World Cup winner, marked his Test debut by carefully measuring his run-up and warming up energetically before play began.

Zimbabwe made a solid start after winning the toss. Openers Ben Curran and Brian Bennett added 41 for the first wicket before debutant Tanzim Hasan broke through, having Bennett caught behind by Jaker Ali.

Ben Curran was next to fall, bowled by Taijul Islam for 21, as Zimbabwe reached lunch on 89/2 from 28 overs, scoring at a positive rate despite two setbacks.

Nick Welch and Sean Williams then stitched together a strong partnership. Welch, who scored a half-century in his third Test, and Williams added 90 runs for the third wicket. However, just before tea, Welch retired hurt due to heat exhaustion and cramps after reaching 54 runs off 131 balls.

At tea, Zimbabwe were well-placed at 161/2, with Williams unbeaten and eyeing a big score.

Post-tea, Bangladesh clawed back dramatically. Chattogram local Nayeem Hasan made the crucial breakthrough by dismissing captain Craig Ervine cheaply for just 5 runs. In the next over, Sean Williams, who had reached 66, attempted a sweep shot but was caught brilliantly by debutant Tanzim at backward square leg off Nayeem's bowling.

This opened the floodgates for Bangladesh.

Taijul Islam produced a brilliant spell, dismantling Zimbabwe's middle and lower order. He dismissed Wesley Madhevere with a delivery that spun sharply, caught behind by Jaker Ali. Then, he trapped Wellington Masakadza lbw and bowled Richard Ngarava in successive deliveries, narrowly missing a hat-trick.

Tafadzwa Tsiga and Vincent Masekesa tried to resist but a miscommunication resulted in a disastrous run-out for Masekesa, again capitalised by quick fielding from Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Taijul.

Nick Welch returned to bat after retiring hurt but lasted only two more balls before being bowled by Taijul, giving the left-arm spinner his fifth wicket of the innings — his 16th career five-wicket haul in Tests.

Despite Zimbabwe's promising early position at 177/2, they slumped badly, losing 7 wickets for just 50 runs to close the day struggling at 227/9 after 85 overs.

Taijul Islam (5 wickets) and Nayeem Hasan (2 wickets) were the standout bowlers for Bangladesh, ably supported by Tanzim Hasan, who claimed his maiden Test wicket.