ON November 19, 2001, Zimbabwe posted their first Test win against Bangladesh in their own den. The African nation had to wait another 16 years and 11 months to register their next Test win in Bangladesh, and they did it in some style with a 151-run victory in the first Test in Sylhet, to take a 1-0 lead in the series yesterday.

The hosts could muster just 169 in pursuit of a sizeable target of 321.
For a side that have gone through turbulent times, which included crippling financial problems and missing out on qualification for the 50-over World Cup, the Test victory would hopefully help Zimbabwe to steer out of troubled waters and navigate through the tides of change.

It was a clinical performance from especially Zimbabwe’s bowlers as they bowled with impressive discipline and penetration to take 20 wickets.
Bangladesh started the day, needing a further 295 runs. However, on a positive note, the hosts had all 10 wickets intact. The opening duo of Liton Das and Imrul Kayes (43) took the side to 56 for no loss.

The pair had their fair share of scares, with both of them getting a reprieve, but the openers showed the required batting aptitude by pinching singles and twos.

At that stage, Zimbabwe’s fielders seemed to be getting a tad frustrated. It was Sikandar Raza who provided the breakthrough by dislodging Liton, leg-before. Initially not given, but Hamilton Masakadza opted for the review and the ball-tracker displayed three reds, with the on-field umpire overturning his decision. Kyle Jarvis, who was unlucky during the first hour then prised out Mominul Haque.

Kayes, who was consistently troubled by Raza, eventually lost his wicket to the Zimbabwe all-rounder. The opener tried to sweep but could only glove it onto the stumps. Mahmdullah and Nazmul Hossain Shanto didn’t last long as Zimbabwe went into the lunch just five wickets short of a well-earned win.

After the break, Bangladesh’s slim hopes of charting a comeback depended on the shoulders of Mushfiqur Rahim. However, Brandon Mavuta, who was introduced into the attack just before lunch, ripped his leg-breaks and landed it on the seam to exert pressure on Rahim.

In an attempt to break free, the ‘keeper-batsman tried to play the sweep, but could only top-edge it to deep backward square leg where Wellington Masakadza took a sharp catch.
Once Rahim was dismissed, the rest of the lower order crumbled as Bangladesh were bundled out in the 64th over. Ariful Haque, who top-scored in the first essay, was the last man dismissed, caught by Regis Chakabva. The ecstatic Chakabva took a stump out as a souvenir to celebrate the triumph.

Raza was the star performer in the second innings, snaring three wickets. He also took a sharp catch to send Shanto back to the pavilion. Mavuta also showed plenty of promise and took four scalps.

The pace duo of Tendai Chatara and Jarvis bowled with immaculate control and took six wickets between them in the match. Sean Williams also deserves his fair share of credit for compiling a noteworthy knock of 88 on a tricky pitch in the first essay.
The significance of this victory for Zimbabwe can be gauged by the fact that this is only their third Test win away from home and the African nation’s first Test win since 2013. The second Test of the series will start on November 11 in Dhaka. (Cricbuzz)

ZIMBABWE first innings 282; Bangladesh first innings 143; Zimbabwe 2nd innings 181
BANGLADESH 2nd innings (o/n 26-0) 23
Imrul Kayes b Sikandar Raza 43
Mominul Haque b Kyle Jarvis 9
Mahmudullah c (sub.) b Sikandar Raza 16
Nazmul Hossain Shanto c Sikandar Raza b Brandon Mavuta 13
Mushfiqur Rahim c Wellington Masakadza b Brandon Mavuta 13
Ariful Haque c Regis Chakabva b Wellington Masakadza 38
Mehedi Hasan c Regis Chakabva b Brandon Mavuta 7
Taijul Islam c Brendan Taylor b Wellington Masakadza 0
Nazmul Islam lbw Brandon Mavuta 0
Abu Jayed not out 0
Extras: (b-5, lb-2) 7
Total: (all out, 63.1 overs) 169
Fall of wickets: 1-56, 2-67, 3-83, 4-102, 5-111, 6-132, 7-150, 8-151. 9-155.
Bowling: Kyle Jarvis 14-5-29-1, Tendai Chatara 9-2-25-0, Sikandar Raza 17-1-41-3, Sean Williams 8-2-13-0, Brandon Mavuta 10-2-21-4, Wellington Masakadza 5.1-0-33-2.