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Tigers maul Zimbabwe

1st Test win in one and half years


Published : 11 Jul 2021 10:00 PM | Updated : 12 Jul 2021 01:08 AM

Bangladesh thwarted Zimbabwe by 220 runs during the final day of the one-off Test at the Harare Sports Club on Sunday. For Bangladesh, Taskin Ahmed and Mehidy Hasan Miraz scalped 4 wickets each as Zimbabwe were all out for 256 runs in their second innings in chase of the 477-run target set by the Tigers.

It was a very comfortable victory for the Tigers in what surprisingly turned out to be all-rounder Mahmudullah Riyad’s final Test match.

This match was won by collective performance of players throughout innings’ and sessions. Mahmudullah was adjudged Player of the Match as he cracked 150* to help Tigers avoid a slip in the first innings and announced a shock retirement from Tests a few days later. In the second innings, Najmul Hossain Shanto and Shadman Islam slammed centuries. Taskin, Mehidy and Shakib Al Hasan shone with the ball after Taskin also contributed with the bat. Another positive to take from this match was Mehidy’s 148/9, which is the best Test match figure for a Bangladesh bowler away from home. 

Zimbabwe started the final day at 140/3. Bangladesh bowlers were not able to make any breakthrough in the opening hour of the match. However, scenes changed completely after the drinks break as Mehidy struck twice. The off-spinner removed Dion Myers (26) and Timycen Maruma (0) before inform pacer Taskin Ahmed produced a fiery spell of bowling.

The pacer removed Roy Kaia (0) and Regis Chakabva (1) in two consecutive overs. Then two other batsmen Nyauchi and Tiripano survived the remaining few overs before the Lunch as Zimbabwe were reeling at 176/7. After the break, the Zimbabweans showed some fight but their innings was put to rest at 256. Huge credit to Zimbabwe for continuing to fight even with their tail after Bangladesh seemed all set to wrap the match up rather quickly on the final day.