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CENTURY PARTNERS . . . Regis Chakabva and Elton Chigumbura shared a 113-run stand before Bangladesh took a first-innings lead of 129 runs on the third day in Chittagong yesterday. — AFP

CHITTAGONG. — Jubair Hossain struck for Bangladesh at every crucial juncture where Zimbabwe threatened to run away with the game on the third day of their Test cricket match yesterday.

His five wickets earned the home side a 129-run lead, which was later extended to 152 during the final half an hour of play.

Zimbabwe’s 374 was an innings that had ebbed and flowed since the second evening. Jubair trumped them all to pick up 5 for 96 in 20 overs, an effort that was as impressive as it was entertaining.

Brendan Taylor, Sikandar Raza, Craig Ervine, top-scorer Elton Chigumbura and finally Natsai M’shangwe were Jubair’s victims.

The third day began with Hamilton Masakadza and Raza getting off to a sound start and continuing on their 104-run stand from the previous evening. They serenely added 56 in the first hour but soon a string of wickets followed although Regis Chakabva and Chigumbura struck fifties and did their best to stabilise the innings afterwards.

This pair helped Zimbabwe move past the follow-on mark, Chigumbura hitting a six to move to 307, but soon the pair were separated.

Raza made 82 off 111 balls with ten boundaries while Masakadza scored 81 off 151 balls with nine fours and a six. Raza was well caught at slip by Mahmudullah after Jubair got one to bounce and turn slightly at the opener. Masakadza was trapped leg-before by Shafiul Islam in an impressive first spell, ending a 160-run stand which was Zimbabwe’s highest for the second wicket.

Taylor was brilliantly caught at mid-off by Taijul Islam who ran back about 20 yards to dive and grab the ball, also avoiding the on-rushing Imrul Kayes in the process, off Jubair. Ervine was also removed by Jubair too, off a full-toss.

Chigumbura and Chakabva added 113 runs for the sixth wicket, a saving grace for the visitors who ensured their deficit was cut down drastically. Chakabva fell for 65 off 136 balls with seven fours, getting trapped leg-before to Shafiul.

Both batsmen survived a few chances, particularly Chigumbura who gave clear opportunities to Mahmudullah at slip and to Mushfiqur behind the wicket with edges. Chakabva, too, survived a chance when Mahmudullah looked to have stood slightly behind in the slips though it was not clear to see whether he dropped the catch or it fell short. Richmond Mutumbami made 20 before being trapped leg-before by Shakib Al Hasan after a review. Taijul removed Shingirai Masakadza before Jubair earned the wickets of Chigumbura, caught at slip for 88 off 130 with six boundaries and two sixes through long-on, and M’shangwe caught in the covers well by Mahmudullah. He pumped his fist, smiled and looked at his captain. This was a bowling performance that overshadowed Shakib’s surprisingly ordinary day and Taijul’s struggle having bowled the most overs among the three spinners.

Shafiul took two key wickets in spells that defied the Chittagong pitch time and again. His bursts ensured that Zimbabwe’s comfort bowling – pace and seam – also kept them in their toes. Jubair did a good job of stepping on those toes. — Cricinfo.