Zimbabwe defied bad light, disciplined bowling, and a late fightback from Bangladesh to clinch a thrilling first Test match by three wickets in Sylhet on day four of the first Test match between Bangladesh vs Zimbabwe. At one point in the 175-run chase, the visitors were cruising and needed a shade above 50 runs with eight wickets in hand. However, the hosts were not ready to give up as they kept chipping away with wickets before Wesley Madhevere's unbeaten 19 runs guided Zimbabwe home.
The chase was perfectly set up for the visitors as openers Ben Curran (44 runs) and Brian Bennett (54 runs) put on a stand worth 95 runs for the first wicket. At that moment, it looked like the game was done and dusted. However, Mehidy Hasan Miraz had other ideas, as he ensured a Zimbabwe collapse by picking five wickets. It required Madhevere's patience and a little bit of luck for the visitors to eventually get home.
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Day four started with Bangladesh 112 runs ahead, with skipper Najmul Shanto and Jaker Ali (58) runs at the crease. The former could not add to his overnight score, as he was dismissed for (60) runs. The latter, though, added valuable runs in the end and ensured Bangladesh set a fighting fourth-innings total for the visitors.
Blessing Muzarabani's six-wicket haul sets up an epic Zimbabwe victory
A win in subcontinent conditions is always considered special. Considering Zimbabwe entered the series as underdogs, this Test win will be celebrated for a long time in Zimbabwean cricket history. Pacer Blessing Muzarabani was one of the main heroes of the win, as his six-wicket haul in the second innings ensured his team did not chase a target over 200 runs in the fourth innings.
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For Bangladesh, the team will be ruing the missed opportunity to post a huge first innings score, as they were all out for just 191 runs.
