Blignaut claimed a hat-trick in the fifth over

Zimbabwe closed in on victory over Bangladesh in the first Test after taking five wickets in two overs.

Doug Hondo claimed two victims and Andy Blignaut a hat-trick to leave the tourists 25-5 at stumps on day four, chasing a highly unlikely 353 to win.

The home side declared their second innings on 242-8, thanks to Tatenda Taibu (58) and Sean Ervine (74).

Manjural Islam Rana and Manjural Islam had earlier shared a record last wicket stand of 43 to take Bangladesh to 331.

Their previous best last-wicket stand came against the same opponents at Chittagong in 2001, coincidentally the last time Zimbabwe won a Test.

Zimbabwe then suffered several early set-backs, stumbling to 90-4 before Taibu and Ervine added 90 for the fifth wicket.

Taibu hit a watchful century before Zimbabwe declared

In contrast to Taibu's patience, Ervine faced 78 balls, striking eight fours.

The fireworks were nothing compared to what followed, though, as the tourists pressed the self-destruct button.

Shahriar Hossain and Habibul Bashar both perished trying to play across the line at Hondo in the fourth over.

Blignaut went one better than his opening partner, dismissing Hannan Sarkar, Mohammad Ashraful and Mushfiqur Rahman in successive deliveries.

Rana again restored sanity, facing 42 balls to go to stumps four not out, and Rajin Saleh was unbeaten on six.

Zimbabwe: Heath Streak (captain), Andy Blignaut, Stuart Carlisle, Dion Ebrahim, Sean Ervine, Gavin Ewing, Grant Flower, Douglas Hondo, Raymond Price, Tatenda Taibu.

Bangladesh: Habibul Bashar (captain), Mohammad Ashraful, Tapash Baisya, Shahriar Hossain, Manjural Islam, Khaled Mashud, Mohammad Rafique, Mushfiqur Rahman, Rajin Saleh, Hannan Sarkar, Manjural Islam Rana.