Prior to the start of the third and final Test between Bangladesh and Zimbabwe at Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium (ZACS), the Tigers achieved everything possible at the venue other than a win.
The final Test of the three-match series was the 13th time Bangladesh played a five-day game at ZACS. Although the Tigers boast several individual records to their name, they were never victorious at the south-eastern venue drawing four Tests and losing eight.
The 186-run win over Zimbabwe yesterday was, therefore, a much-comforting victory for the Tigers breaking the 12-winless Test drought at this venue.
Through the third Test victory, ZACS is now one of Bangladesh’s most luckiest venues, taking into consideration all the individual and team records. The Tigers posted 503 in their first innings of the third Test which is their third highest innings score and second highest at home.
Bangladesh openers Tamim Iqbal and Imrul Kayes both struck centuries in the first innings which is the first instance of two Tigers opening batsmen scoring a hundred in the same innings.
Tamim and Imrul in the process stitched together a record-breaking 224-run stand for the opening wicket which is Bangladesh’s highest ever for the opening wicket and third highest for any wicket. The 224-run stand of the pair is also the highest stand for any wicket in Bangladesh-Zimbabwe Tests.
Moving forward now to Mominul Haque, Bangladesh’s diminutive left-handed batsman. Of his four centuries in just 12 Tests, three came at this venue. The pocket dynamo will ne doubt long for more Tests at this venue.
19-year old leg-spinner Jubair Hossain, playing only his third Test, picked up his maiden five-wicket haul in the first innings. Suffice to say that the young leggie will cherish this venue for a long time to come.
Bangladesh’s right-arm off-spinner Sohag Gazi might be out of the limelight for the time being but no one will ever forget his ton (coming in at No 8) and six-wicket haul – including a hat-trick - at this venue last year against New Zealand.
In the second and final Test against Sri Lanka earlier this year at this venue, Bangladesh earned a creditable draw with three centuries belonging to the Tigers’ batsmen – Tamim, Imrul and Mominul.
The venue has so far witnessed 26 centuries, four double hundreds and a triple century (Kumar Sangakkara) in 13 Tests. Among those 26 centuries, the Bangladesh batsmen have smashed 11.