Recap: Zimbabwe beat Bangladesh in first test as Blessing Muzarabani takes nine

SYLHET: Zimbabwe beat Bangladesh in the first test of their two-match series, thanks to an incredible bowling performance from Blessing Muzarabani that helped to limit the Tigers’ total.

Bangladesh first innings

Bangladesh had a rough first innings, managing to only make 191 runs before their last wicket fell in the 61st over. Mominul Haque scored the highest total for Bangladesh, with 56 off 105 deliveries. He was caught out in the 43rd over by Wessly Madhevere, on a delivery from Wellington Masakadza. Masakadza took three wickets total in the innings, dismissing Mushfiqur Rahim and Taijul Islam as well.

Skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto had the second highest contributions for the Tigers with 40 off 69. He was also caught out by Madhevere, on a delivery from Blessing Muzarabani. Muzarabani had three wickets in the innings as well, dismissing Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Hasan Mahmud later on.

Victor Nyauchi and Madhevere had two wickets each as well. Bangladesh were all out for 191 in their first innings.

Zimbabwe first innings

Brian Bennet and Sean Williams led the charge for Zimbabwe in the second innings. The former made 57 off 64, hitting 10 fours in the process, while the later made 59 off 108. Bennet was caught behind in the 21st over by Nahid Rana, who also dismissed Ben Curran and skipper Craig Ervine in the innings.

But, it was Miraz, who sent off Williams in the 55th over, that did the most damage. After Williams was caught out by Mahmudul Hasan Joy, Miraz went on to take four more wickets including, Nyasha Mayavo, Masakadza, Muzarabani, and Nyauchi.

Despite Miraz’s five-fer, Zimbabwe still managed to make 273 runs in the 80.2 overs they played.

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Bangladesh’s second innings

Despite some early trouble that saw Shadman Islam caught out in just the fourth over, Bangladesh fared better in their second innings. Skipper Shanto scored 60 runs off 105 deliveries, before a leading edge led to a catch by Nyauchi at fine leg. Jaker Ali made 58 off 111, before he was caught out by Welch on a shot that had too much height and not nearly enough distance.

Islam, Shanto, and Ali were all dismissed by Muzarabani, who also dismissed Joy, Mushfiqur Rahim, and Miraz, for a total of six wickets in the innings.

Mominul Haque made a sizable contribution, falling just three runs short of a half century before he was caught behind on a delivery from Nyauchi. Joy added 33 off 65. Bangladesh were all out for 255 in the 80th over, leaving Zimbabwe with a target of 174 to take the first game in the series.

Zimbabwe’s second innings

A fantastic opening partnership between Curran and Bennet all but sealed the deal. The two made 95 runs together off 126 deliveries. Bangladesh finally got a breakthrough in the 21st over, as Curran was caught out by Khaled Ahmed on a delivery from Miraz. Curran scored 44 off 75.

Miraz also dismissed the other half of Zimbabwe’s opening stand later in the game, as Bennet was caught out by Muhsfiqur Rahim in the 33rd over. Miraz took a total of five wickets in the innings, which included dismissals of Williams, Mayavo, and Masakadza.

Zimbabwe ran into some trouble as they inched closer to the target, losing five wickets between the 31st and 49th over. However, that didn’t stop them from closing out the game on day four.

Zimbabwe reached the target in the 51st over, winning the first test by three wickets. Muzarabani was the standout player, taking nine wickets across both innings.

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