Taijul Islam Climbs Into Top Five of Left-Arm Test Five-Fors

Taijul Islam has moved into the top five among left-arm bowlers for Test five-wicket hauls, though his landmark came in a heavy Bangladesh defeat in Harare.

His 7/138 in Zimbabwe’s first innings was his 19th Test five-for. That put him past Australia’s Mitchell Starc, who has 18, and level with former Bangladesh captain Shakib Al Hasan. Taijul got there in 107 innings, three fewer than Shakib’s 110, while Starc needed 202.

The all-time left-arm list

Three left-armers are still ahead of him: Rangana Herath of Sri Lanka with 34, Pakistan’s Wasim Akram with 25 and New Zealand’s Daniel Vettori with 20. Taijul and Shakib now share fourth place on 19. The spell also took Taijul to 270 Test wickets from 60 matches.

A record for Bangladesh away from home

It was his third seven-wicket haul in Tests and the best innings figures by a Bangladeshi bowler in an away Test, beating Shakib’s 6/33 against the West Indies in Kingston. Taijul sent down more than 40 overs on a pitch that favoured batters.

Zimbabwe dominate the match

Bangladesh made only 140 in their first innings, and Zimbabwe replied with 410. Opener Innocent Kaia scored a maiden Test hundred, 140, and Wesley Madhevere added an unbeaten 77.

Zimbabwe finished the job on day three, winning by an innings and 85 runs, their biggest Test victory. Blessing Muzarabani took 4/65 in Bangladesh’s second innings, leaving Taijul’s spell as the visitors’ main highlight.