Taijul joins Shakib's elite club

Left-arm spinner Taijul Islam equalled Shakib Al Hasan's Bangladesh record for the most five-wicket hauls in Test cricket, but his milestone came on a difficult day as Zimbabwe seized control of the Harare Test.

After Bangladesh were bundled out for just 140, Taijul waged a lone battle with the ball, returning figures of 7 for 138 to register his 19th five-wicket haul in Tests. The left-arm spinner now shares the national record with Shakib, who had held the milestone outright.

Despite Taijul's brilliance, Zimbabwe piled up 410 in reply to secure a massive 270-run first-innings lead.

Opener Innocent Kaia anchored the innings with a superb 140, while Craig Ervine added 60 and Brian Bennett contributed 59. Wesley Madhevere narrowly missed a century, remaining unbeaten on 77 after running out of partners, while Ben Curran chipped in with 42.

Earlier, Bangladesh's batting lineup crumbled after being sent in to bat, with only Mominul Haque showing resistance through a fighting 60. No other batter managed to make a significant contribution as the visitors were dismissed for 140.

Trailing by 270 runs, Bangladesh began their second innings under immense pressure. After a disappointing display with the bat in the first innings, the visitors now face the real threat of an innings defeat and will need a dramatic turnaround to stay alive in the contest.