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Zimbabwe secures a thrilling win in Sylhet, marking their first away Test victory since 2021
Zimbabwe secures a thrilling win in Sylhet, marking their first away Test victory since 2021
Zimbabwe clinch historic test victory in Sylhet, sealing their first away Test victory since 2021 and taking a 1-0 lead in the two-match series.
Zimbabwe triumphed over Bangladesh by three wickets in a thrilling match on the fourth evening of the first Test in Sylhet, taking a 1-0 lead in the two-match series. This victory marked Zimbabwe's fifth win in overseas Tests and came after they achieved their highest successful chase in the fourth innings. It was also their first win in 11 Tests, with their last three victories all being away from home.
Blessing Muzarabani played a key role in the win with a nine-wicket haul. However, it was Wessly Madhevere and No. 9 Richard Ngarava who helped Zimbabwe secure the win after the team faced a collapse needing fewer than 50 runs. Mehidy Hasan Miraz was instrumental in that collapse, achieving his second five-wicket haul in the Test and also taking his 200th Test wicket with a total of ten wickets. Madhevere clinched the match for Zimbabwe with a reverse sweep that brought the team to their 174-run target.
Openers Brian Bennett and Ben Curran got Zimbabwe off to a great start, putting together a 95-run partnership in just 21 overs. Curran, who scored 44 runs with seven fours, was dismissed by Mehidy, hitting a catch to mid-off. Nick Welch, batting at No. 3, was out LBW to Taijul Islam for 10, and Sean Williams misjudged a delivery from Mehidy in the 31st over, edging a catch to Najmul Hossain Shanto at cover for 9. At that point, Zimbabwe was in trouble at 127 for 3.
In the next over, Bennett was outsmarted by Mehidy's spin and caught by Mushfiqur Rahim at deep mid-on. The big shot he tried was a risky move since he was doing well with a score of 54. He hit seven fours and one six during his 81 balls at the crease.
Taijul took his turn next, getting Craig Ervine caught behind with a delivery that was sliding down the leg side. Mehidy persuaded Captain Shanto to review the decision, and Ultra-Edge showed a spike, leading Ervine to leave the field for 10 runs. Mehidy struck again on the first ball of his next over, clean bowling Nyasha Mayavo for just 1 run. Zimbabwe now stood at 145 for 6.
Wellington Masakadza helped calm Zimbabwe's nerves by hitting boundaries in two straight overs off Taijul. He blasted a big six down the ground shortly after coming to the crease and followed it up with a four past mid-off. But Mehidy then bowled a great delivery that pitched on a length around off stump and turned slightly, ending Masakadza's innings at 12 runs.
After defending his first two balls, Ngarava hit Mehidy for a four over wide mid-on to bring the target down to nine runs. Madhevere then hit Taijul for another four off the first ball of the next over and repeated the hit against Mehidy before sealing a memorable win for Zimbabwe cricket.
The Test win will mainly be remembered for Muzarabani's outstanding bowling. He has now taken five wickets in each of his last three Tests, matching Heath Streak's record as the fastest Zimbabwean to reach 50 Test wickets. His overall figures of 9 for 122 are the best for a Zimbabwean bowler in Bangladesh. Muzarabani was well supported by his teammates, with Ngarava, Victor Nyauchi, and left-arm spinner Masakadza taking the other four wickets in the second innings.
Rain delayed the start of the fourth day by 75 minutes, but Zimbabwe quickly made their mark, taking three wickets within the first 5.3 overs of the morning. Bangladesh ended up being bowled out for 255, losing 6 wickets for just 62 runs on that day.
Muzarabani made an impact early on, dismissing Shanto with his second delivery. Nyauchi caught the top edge at fine leg, ending Shanto's innings at 60 runs from 105 balls. Soon after, Mehidy edged a ball from Muzarabani to gully, where Bennett took a straightforward catch, marking Muzarabani's five wicket. Ngarava then took his turn, getting Taijul out in the next over.
Hasan Mahmud tried to stop the collapse with a careful 12 runs off 58 balls. He added 35 runs for the eighth wicket alongside Jaker Ali before being caught by Muzarabani at mid-off. Khaled Ahmed was caught by Ervine on the next ball, as Masakadza continued to trouble the Bangladesh lower order.
Muzarabani wrapped up a strong morning for Zimbabwe by taking Jaker's wicket, who top-edged a slog to deep midwicket. Jaker had been controlling the strikes for the previous hour and had hit one six along with five fours, finishing his innings with 58 runs off 111 balls.
Brief scores:
Bangladesh 191/10 (Mominul Haque 56; Wellington Mazakadza 3/21) & 255/10 (Najmul Shanto 60; Blessing Muzarabani 6/72) lost to Zimbabwe 273/10 (Sean Williams 59; Mehidy Hasan 5/52) & 174/7 (Brian Bennett 54; Mehidy Hasan 5/50) by 3 wickets.
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