Brendan Taylor became just the third Zimbabwean batsman to score centuries in both innings of a Test match as his side moved towards victory over Bangladesh in the first Test at Harare Sports Club.

Zimbabwe declared once Taylor had reached the landmark half-an-hour into day four to set Bangladesh an unlikely 483 runs to win, before Kyle Jarvis and Shingirai Masakadza reduced the tourists to 2-42 at lunch.

Only brothers Andy and Grant Flower had previously managed twin tons in the same Test for Zimbabwe, while Taylor is the first Zimbabwean captain to achieve the feat.

Although Taylor’s 171 and 102 not out were perhaps not quite as impressive as Andy Flower’s 142 and 199 not out in a losing cause at the same venue against the stronger opposition of South Africa in 2001, it nevertheless came in a match where no other batsman has passed 55.

Zimbabwe resumed on their overnight total of 7-187, with Taylor on 81, and the 27-year-old required just eight overs to get to three figures as he and Keegan Meth, who made 31 not out, batted aggressively.

Needing a world record score to win the match, Bangladesh were dealt early blows as Jarvis bowled Shahriar Nafees for 11 and Masakadza had Jahurul Islam adjudged caught behind for 22.