Mahmudullah scored his first Test century in more than eight years as Bangladesh set Zimbabwe a towering 443-run target to win the second Test in Dhaka on Wednesday.
The host began its victory push, reducing Zimbabwe to 76 fro two at stumps on the fourth day after Mahmudullah’s unbeaten 101 off 122 balls helped the side declare the second innings on 224 for six.
Off-spinner Mehidy Hasan broke a 68-run opening stand by removing Hamilton Masakadza for 25 after he dropped the Zimbabwe captain on five off debutant pacer Khaled Ahmed.
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Mehidy also dropped Brian Chari on naught but fellow spinner Taijul Islam dismissed the opener for 43 soon after Bangladesh got its first breakthrough.
Bangladesh, which must win to square the series, declared its innings at the tea break after Mahmudullah completed his century by pushing leg-spinner Brandon Mavuta towards cover for two runs.
Mahmudullah, whose only other Test ton came against New Zealand at Hamilton in 2010, lifted Bangladesh from a precarious 25 for four after Zimbabwe seamers rattled the home side early on day four.
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The right-hander shared an 118-run stand for the sixth wicket with debutant Mohammad Mithun, who made amends for his first innings duck to score 67 off 110 balls.
Mahmudullah hit four fours and a six in an impressive innings, with his last 51 runs coming off only 52 balls.
The scores: Bangladesh 522-7 decl. and 224 for six decl. (Mohammad Mithun 67, Mahmudullah 101 n.o) vs
Zimbabwe 304 and 76 for two (H. Masakadza 25, B. Chari 43).