Sports Desk:

Bangladesh spun their way through Zimbabwe’s batting line-up on the first day of the Chattogram Test, with left-arm spinner Taijul Islam leading the charge.

Taijul claimed his 16th Test five-wicket haul, finishing with figures of 5 for 60, after a brief period of resistance from Nick Welch and Sean Williams during the second session at the Bir Shreshtha Shaheed Flight Lieutenant Matiur Rahman Cricket Stadium (BSSFLMRCS) on Monday.

At stumps, Zimbabwe were precariously placed at 227 for 9 after batting out 90 overs.

Off-spinner Nayeem Hasan provided strong support with 2 for 42, while debutant pacer Tanzim Hasan Sakib chipped in with one wicket.

Earlier, Bangladesh struck twice in the opening session, leaving Zimbabwe at 89 for 2 by lunch.

However, the visitors showed resilience in the second session as Nick Welch and Sean Williams combined to add 90 valuable runs off 230 balls, battling the intense Chattogram heat. Both batters notched up their half-centuries, giving Zimbabwe a foothold in the match.

The turning point came immediately after the tea break. Welch, visibly struggling with cramps, retired out at the start of the 57th over, shifting the momentum firmly back towards Bangladesh.

What followed was a dramatic collapse. Nayeem Hasan sparked it, troubling the Zimbabwean batters with sharp turn and bounce. Zimbabwe lost seven wickets while adding just 66 runs in the final session.

Captain Craig Ervine was the first to fall post-tea, edging a cut shot off Nayeem into the gloves of the wicketkeeper in the 68th over. In the very next over, Nayeem struck again, removing the well-set Williams (67) with a sharp catch taken by Tanzim. Williams’ innings included seven fours and one six and was the backbone of Zimbabwe’s middle order.

With the experienced Williams back in the dressing room, Taijul Islam ran through Zimbabwe’s lower order with clinical efficiency, dismissing Wessly Madhevere, Wellington Masakadza, and Richard Ngarava in quick succession. Adding to the visitors’ woes, Vincent Masekesa was run out following a brilliant direct hit from Mehidy Hasan Miraz.

Despite the chaos, Tafadzwa Tsiga (18*) and Blessing Muzarabani (2*) managed to survive the final overs and will resume on the second morning hoping to push Zimbabwe past the 250-run mark.