Skipper Brendan Taylor is hopeful that his 92 against Bangladesh on day five will inspire the rest of Zimbabwe's teammates to pull off a draw. Taylor hit 16 fours in his 73-ball bonanza but was dismissed on the fourth day with almost ten overs to spare. The home team also lost stone-pelter Takudzwanashe Caetano shortly after, leaving them at 140 for 3, and a day to keep Bangladesh at bay.
The way Taylor batted put the visitors on the back foot for most of the evening session. He drilled cover drive after cover drive, knocking off spinners with ease, watching the timing as if he was batting in a different league than the batsman at the other end.
He said that the strong innings was comfortable, as he was trying to stall the plans of the Bangladesh bowlers on a pitch which he considered almost dead for the bowlers.
"There was no real intention to play with that aggression, but it instinctively paid off for me," Taylor said. "I thought at the end of the fourth day, the wicket would start getting tired. Instead of just sitting there, I wanted to be a little active, and try to send the message to the people that the wicket was still playing well. Hopefully that I have done that.
"I got out at the wrong time, and I thought I had left so many runs in there. It's hurting me at the moment, but there are people I trust a lot. It's disappointing. When you're well If you are going, you miss a century. You obviously want to kick (and score a century). From the team's point of view, it was important that I stay there for a long time."
Taylor said the rest of Zimbabwe's batsmen were able to put up a good fight on day five and that overnight batsman Dion Myers and nightwatchman Donald Tiripano should be out in the first hour as top priority.
"We want to start the first hour well. Hopefully we don't lose a wicket. We have technically strong and solid players. Unfortunately we lost Caetano at the end. He has been a pillar for us. But there are people out there who can really come out, which will be the chat tomorrow. There's no better time than this to save a game for your country," he said.
Zimbabwe bowlers were punished in Bangladesh's second innings. Shadman Islam and Najmul Hossain Shanto hit centuries as the home team could only take one wicket, giving it a 476-run lead. But Taylor said he was happy with the way the bowlers worked hard in this Test.
"The attitude has always been good, especially with the ball as well. The wicket was pretty dead, and the batsmen were going very hard on the ball. They weren't giving much chances. The only thing I told my bowlers was to go ahead. Stay tuned.. They are young people with great attitude and a lot of commitment. We had to work hard."
Taylor said Bangladesh's experience as a Test team showed that they dominated whenever they were set in the middle. He said, "They have shown they are a seasoned side. They have dominance, and when they come in, they make it count. We have certainly learned a lot from how they have gone about their business. "