A second century of the match from Brendan Taylor was not enough to prevent Zimbabwe from falling to a 218-run defeat by Bangladesh in the second Test in Dhaka.
Taylor became the first Zimbabwean to score Test centuries in both innings for the second time as he followed up his first-innings 110 with an unbeaten 106 as the tourists, set 443 for an unlikely victory, were dismissed for 224.
Spinner Mehidy Hasan took five for 38, following up his three-wicket haul in Zimbabwe’s first innings, to help Bangladesh draw the two-match series.
Mahmudullah, who stood in for regular skipper Shakib Al Hasan, credited his team’s fighting spirit.
“I think the boys were determined enough and showed their character. They stuck to their task. (On the top order) We are working hard and you may not see the results on the pitch yet,” he was quoted as saying by AFP.
Thanks for all the messages. It's been a hard fought series. To say I'm excited to be going home after 7 weeks to my young family is an understatement. #EK714 🛫
— Brendan Taylor (@BrendanTaylor86) November 15, 2018
“With Mushy (Mushfiqur) and Mominul (Haque), we built up the partnership, and they gave us some good runs in the first innings. Taijul was brilliant with the ball,” Mahmudullah added.
Mominul Haque made 161 in the first innings. Resuming the fifth day on 76-2, Zimbabwe lost Sean Williams for 13.
Spinner Taijul dismissed Sikandar Raza for 12 by taking a sharp return catch to reduce Zimbabwe to 120-4. Taylor and Moor saw their side through to the lunch break with a 41-run stand for the fifth wicket.
Despite the loss, captain Hamilton Masakdza praised his team.
“We knew Bangladesh would come hard at us…but I thought the boys showed character, especially after going so far behind in the first innings,” he said.
“World-class from Brendan. We have always known how good he is. Also really impressed with the way Sean Willams played for us throughout the series. Also, the seamers took wickets early, which is never easy in the subcontinent.”
