Zimbabwe repeat 2018 heroics with thrilling Test win in Sylhet
Zimbabwe sealed a historic win against Bangladesh, marking their first Test victory over the Tigers since 2018 - coincidentally at the same venue in Sylhet. The win also marks Zimbabwe's first Test win in over four years, with the last one coming against Afghanistan in Abu Dhabi in March 2021.
In a tense final innings chasing 174, Zimbabwe stuttered in the middle after a 95-run opening wicket stand but successfully chased down the target to secure a 1-0 lead in the series.
On Day 1, Bangladesh won the toss and chose to bat first, but Zimbabwe's bowlers quickly put them under pressure by removing both openers within the first 10 overs. A 66-run third-wicket stand between skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto and Mominul Haque provided some resistance and turned out to be the highest partnership of the innings.
However, the rest of the batting lineup crumbled, thanks to impressive three-wicket hauls from Blessing Muzarabani and Wellington Masakadza, along with two wickets each for Victor Nyauchi and Wessly Madhevere. As a result, Bangladesh were bowled out for a modest total of 191.
Zimbabwe's batters carried the momentum forward, putting Bangladesh under pressure with a solid display. Brian Bennett led the charge with a quickfire 57 off 64 balls, while veteran Sean Williams anchored the innings with a well-crafted 59 off 108 deliveries.
Despite a five-wicket haul from Mehidy Hasan Miraz and a three-wicket effort from Nahid Rana, Zimbabwe managed to post a total of 273. Though not massive, it was enough to secure a healthy 82-run lead at the end of the first innings.
Despite an early wicket in their second innings, Bangladesh began strongly with the bat. Mominul Haque and Mahmudul Hasan Joy put together a solid 60-run stand for the first wicket, followed by a 65-run partnership between Haque and skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto.
Watch: Zimbabwe hit T20I record 344 against Gambia
Zimbabwe hit T20I record 344 against Gambia | Match Highlights | Men's T20WC Sub-Regional Africa Qualifier B
Zimbabwe made a mind-blowing 344/4 in their 20 overs against Gambia in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup Africa Sub Regional Qualifier B.
Shanto played a composed knock of 60 off 105 balls, while Jaker Ali contributed a steady 58 off 111. Just as Zimbabwe seemed to be slipping, their bowlers turned the tide, taking the last five Bangladesh wickets for just 61 runs. Blessing Muzarabani was the standout performer, claiming a brilliant six-wicket haul as Bangladesh were bundled out for 255.
Zimbabwe looked to be cruising towards victory with a strong start in the chase, with openers Ben Curran and Brian Bennett piling up 95 runs before losing their first. However, Bangladesh clawed their way back into the contest, thanks to Mehidy Hasan Miraz's five-wicket haul once again that turned the game in the hosts' favour.
Despite the pressure and a few nervy moments, Zimbabwe held their breath to edge past the finish line, sealing a thrilling three-wicket win. It marked their first Test victory over Bangladesh in seven years and the first in over four years against any side for Zimbabwe.
The two sides are set to face off again in Chattogram, with the second Test beginning on April 28.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Khaleej Times
3 days ago
- Khaleej Times
Bangladesh tighten grip on first Test against Sri Lanka
Bangladesh continued their dominance over Sri Lanka on the second day of the first test Wednesday, finishing at a commanding 484 for nine -- despite a few late breakthroughs by the hosts. The Tigers resumed on 292 for three overnight and turned the screws on a batting-friendly wicket, with Mushfiqur Rahim and Najmul Hossain Shanto extending their record-breaking partnership. The 264-run partnership finally ended when Shanto fell for 148, deceived in the air as he attempted to drive one. Shanto's fluent innings was peppered with 15 boundaries and a six. Mushfiqur kept going with wicketkeeper Litton Das before finally falling for 163, a marathon knock that spanned nearly nine hours and 350 balls. Das piled on further misery for Sri Lanka with a brisk 90 off 123 deliveries, cashing in on tired bowlers and some loose fielding. He was particularly severe on the spinners, using his feet to good effect to lift the ball cleanly over the in-field. But he also survived some anxious moments. Pathum Nissanka grassed a sitter at short mid-wicket when he had just 14 to his name. Moments earlier, he had survived a run-out stemming from a mix-up. He eventually perished attempting a reverse sweep off debutant Tharindu Ratnayake, gloving it to Kusal Mendis behind the stumps. Bangladesh batting coach Mohammad Salahuddin said it was a "very good effort by the batsmen". "We were very impressed with the way Mushfiqur Rahim went about things. He had not scored a big one in a while but we knew it was just a matter of time before he scored a big one," Salahuddin said. "They (batsmen) showed character and we have almost scored 500 runs now. I hope our bowlers will be able to create opportunities bowling to attacking fields as we have got the runs on the board now. It will be an interesting day three." Sri Lanka's Milan Rathnayake said it was one of the "flattest wickets we have seen in Galle". "It was a tough wicket to bowl on but I thought we did a decent job," Rathnayake said. "When they were building the pressure and taking the attack on to us, it was important to stay calm and show character. I thought after tea we came back stronger to claim five wickets." With rain interrupting play shortly after lunch, only 61 overs could be bowled on day two. A persistent drizzle forced an early tea and fading light ended proceedings prematurely. Play will resume fifteen minutes early on Thursday to compensate for the lost time.
Int'l Cricket Council
4 days ago
- Int'l Cricket Council
Positive gains for South African players in ICC Men's Test Rankings
The new ICC World Test Champions, South Africa, are basking in their glory, as multiple members of their team rise in the ICC Men's Test Player Rankings. Leading the charge is Player of the Match from the final at Lord's, Aiden Markram. The batting hero has risen seven places to just outside the top-10 in the ICC Men's Test Batting Rankings, with only two points separating him from New Zealand's Daryl Mitchell (725) in 10th. Markram scored a crucial and match-winning 136 runs off 207 balls in a masterful display of Test batting to help take South Africa across the line in the WTC Final. His equally vital wickets for South Africa have also been rewarded in the Test All-Rounders Rankings, seeing him ascend a whopping 44 places. David Bedingham, who closed the famous win for South Africa, also made a move of note in the Batting Rankings, climbing 17 places to joint 40 alongside Cameron Green. Meanwhile, South Africa fast bowler Lungi Ngidi, who produced an inspirational spell with the ball during Australia's second innings, has also advanced seven slots in the Bowling Rankings. He shares 37th place with Pakistan's Naseem Shah and Sri Lanka's Lahiru Kumara. Kagiso Rabada, who was the pick of South Africa's bowlers, maintained his second place among the bowlers, next to India's Jasprit Bumrah. His 868 ratings points are 21 clear of Pat Cummins who also remains in third place. For runners up, Australia, seasoned speedster Mitchell Starc and all-rounder Beau Webster benefited from valiant displays. Starc, who took five wickets through the Test and scored a fighting half-century in the second innings, climbed to 10th spot in the bowlers' and all-rounders lists. Webster meanwhile, who was Australia's top scorer in the first innings, climbed 13 places in the Batting Rankings. In the ODI Player Rankings, key performers from the Men's Cricket World Cup League 2 action have boasted impressive climbs. Netherlands' top-order batter Michael Levitt, who was also handy with the ball, has soared 22 places in the Batting Rankings to go with a climb of 21 among the bowlers and another 27 in the all-rounders charts. Levitt also leapt 11 places in the T20I batting charts to the 30th spot in the tri-series after League 2 play, just below Pakistan's Mohammad Haris. His teammate Noah Croes also jumped 20 places in the Men's ODI Batting Rankings after making a vital fifty from the four-wicket win against Scotland. Nepal's Aarif Sheikh, who top-scored with the bat in the 16-run win over the Dutch, climbs 13 places in the batting charts. ENDS
Int'l Cricket Council
4 days ago
- Int'l Cricket Council
Full fixtures released for ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026
The full fixture list of the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026 is out now, with hosts England featuring in the opening clash against Sri Lanka at Edgbaston on 12 June. This edition marks the biggest ICC Women's T20 World Cup yet, with 12 teams – more than ever before – vying for the coveted trophy. You can register your interest here! Alongside the fixtures, the groups for the league stage were also revealed. Group 1 features multiple-time champions Australia, 2024 finalists South Africa, Asian heavyweights India and Pakistan, along with two teams from the Global Qualifier. Group 2 includes hosts England, defending champions New Zealand, Sri Lanka, former winners West Indies and the other two teams from the Global Qualifier. New Zealand lift the trophy! | Final | WT20WC 2024 The top two teams from each group will advance to the semi-finals, set for 30 June and 2 July at The Oval, with the grand finale taking place at Lord's on 5 July. The tournament spans 24 days, featuring 33 matches across seven iconic venues – Edgbaston, Hampshire Bowl, Headingley, Old Trafford, The Oval, Bristol County Ground and Lord's. 'World Cups are always special, but this one already feels different – it has the potential to be truly game-changing," England captain Nat Sciver-Brunt said. 'It's going to be a huge moment for our sport and a brilliant opportunity to inspire young people and captivate fans across the country. Playing on home soil, for the biggest prize, against the best players in the world, it's going to be unmissable. I can't wait to be a part of it. 'The tournament will not only give fans across the nation a chance to see world-famous cricketers in action but will also affect lasting change by inspiring countless women and girls across the country to get involved with cricket.' New Zealand win the T20 World Cup | Final | WT20WC 2024 Tournament Director Beth Barrett-Wild said the tournament would contribute to lasting change. 'The ICC Women's T20 World Cup provides us with an unparalleled opportunity to transform a month of sporting excellence into a movement that will rewrite the narrative about women's cricket," she said. 'At iconic venues across the country, we'll see incredible, world-class athletes battling it out in out in front of hundreds of thousands of fans, who with every ball bowled and run scored, will be contributing to lasting change. It's our opportunity to give women's cricket, and women's sport, the stage it deserves.' A joyous New Zealand dressing room | WT20WC 2024 A joyous New Zealand dressing room | WT20WC 2024 ICC Women's T20 World Cup, 2026NewsWomen's NewsBreaking News
