Bangladesh win Test after 35 attempts

<preform>Bangladesh 488 &amp; 204-9 dec</BR> Zimbabwe 312 &amp; 154</preform>

Bangladesh win by 226 runs

Bangladesh win by 226 runs

Bangladesh claimed their first Test victory yesterday, at the 35th attempt, crushing Zimbabwe by 226 runs.

Bangladesh, who became the world's 10th Test team in 2000, but have struggled for respectability since, sealed victory just before tea on the final day as 18-year-old spinner Enamul Haque Jnr took career-best figures of 6 for 45. The players celebrated before being joined by the coach, Dav Whatmore, and then set off on a lap of honour. "It's the best day in my life," the captain, Habibul Bashar, said. "I won't forget the day I was a member of Bangladesh's winning team. I don't want to remember those hard days, I only want to think about the victory." Zimbabwe, resuming on 46 for 3 and 133 for 6 at lunch, were dismissed for 154 in their second innings, Christopher Mpofu the last man out as he edged Haque to Mohammad Ashraful at silly point. The touring side were playing in their first match since having their Test status suspended last June. The International Cricket Council ruled that the team was uncompetitive following a selection dispute which sparked a walk-out by a group of leading white players.

Outside the stadium, crowds beat drums, waved flags and chanted "Bangladesh, Bangladesh, cricket, cricket". The second and final Test begins on Friday. Bangladesh had managed three draws in their previous 34 Tests - two against Zimbabwe and one against West Indies, though two of those matches were affected by rain.