||CF Correspondent||

Left-arm spinner Taijul Islam said on Tuesday that perseverance paid a rich dividend against Zimbabwe as he never lost his hope despite not managing to earn a wicket that would have helped him to earn fifth successive five-wicket haul in the ongoing Test series.

Though Taijul eventually earned a hat-trick of fifers, it did not arrive before testing his patience as Zimbabwe managed to hold their nerves against his vicious turn.   

Taijul, who dismissed Hamilton Masakadza on day-two, gave Bangladesh the first breakthrough on the third day when he dismissed nightwatchman Donald Tiripano for eight to break a frustrating stand that stood firm for nearly 50 minutes.

In the second session, the left-arm spinner delivered two excellent deliveries in a quick succession to bowl Sean Williams (11) and Sikandar Raza (0) out to break into the opposition’s middle-order and give Bangladesh the hope of enforcing a follow-on against the visitors.

Although the Tigers failed to take a big lead over Zimbabwe as Brendan Taylor and Peter Moor put up brilliant batting displays and added 139 runs for the sixth wicket, it could not deny Taijul a fifer as he came back stronger by dismissing Regis Chakabva as the last Zimbabwe batsman.

Taijul claimed he didn’t lose his hope when he wasn’t getting the scalp that would bring him another five-wicket haul and was delighted to perform well once again.

“It may take a bit of long time. They made a good partnership and it is very evident in cricket. But I didn’t lose hope,” he said.