Shadman Islam (115) and Nazmul Islam Shanto (117*) added 196 for the second wicket before the bowlers struck thrice in the last session to push Bangladesh to the cusp of victory. Bangladesh now have an entire day to take seven wickets as Zimbabwe finished the day on 140/3. Zimbabwe still need 337 runs to win.
Zimbabwe lost their first wicket early in the game. Taskin Ahmed got the ball move away from Milton Shumba, who edged it to Yasir Ali at the second slip.
Brendan Taylor and Takudzwanashe Kaitano held the fort, just like the first innings, and added 95 runs for the second wicket in contrasting styles. To put things simply, Taylor got 92 in 73 balls, while Kaitano batted 102 balls for his 7.
Taylor signalled his arrival a straight drive off Taskin. He became watchful for a few overs before opening his arms again when Taskin teased him with short-pitched balls. Taylor smashed him twice in an over before hitting Shakib for back-to-back fours the next over.
This was just the beginning. Taskin conceded three boundaries off his next over, forcing Mominul Haque to make replace him with Mehidy Hasan Miraz. But the result was not much different. Taylor welcomed him with two fours to bring up his half-century in 33 balls.
But Miraz had the last laugh when Taylor chipped one straight to him. Kaitano had meanwhile stonewalled everything that came his way. He was now trapped by Shakib Al Hasan.
Earlier in the day, Bangladesh top-order put up a comprehensive display to stretch the target to 477. Shadman and Saif Hasan (43) added 88 for the opening stand. Saif got out when an attempted cut found Dion Myers at gully.
But that was the only success Zimbabwe have had in the innings. The few chances they gave were squandered by the fielders. Shadman and Nazmul completed their centuries to knock the hosts out of the game. While Shadman was sedate throughout his stay, Shanto was the enforcer, for his innings was laden with five fours and six sixes.
Bangladesh 468 (Mahmudullah 150*; Blessing Muzarabani 4-94) and 284/1 decl. (Najmul Hossain Shanto 117* Shadman Islam 115; Richard Ngarava 1-36) lead Zimbabwe 276 (Takudzwanashe Kaitano 87; Mehidy Hasan Miraz 5-82, Shakib Al Hasan 4-82) and 140/3 (Brendan Taylor 92; Shakib Al Hasan 1-23) by 336 runs.