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The first Test between Bangladesh and Zimbabwe at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium delivered an intense four-day thriller that had fans on the edge of their seats. Bangladesh, after winning the toss, opted to bat first but failed to capitalize on the familiar conditions. Despite a composed 56 from Mominul Haque and a steady 40 by skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto, the Tigers were bundled out for 191. Zimbabwe’s bowlers worked in tandem, with Wellington Masakadza and Wessly Madhevere chipping in with three and two wickets respectively.
In reply, Zimbabwe posted 273, thanks in large part to crucial contributions from Brian Bennett (57), Sean Williams (59), and a valuable lower-order cameo from Richard Ngarava (28*). This first-innings lead of 82 put Zimbabwe in the driver’s seat. Mehidy Hasan Miraz tried to wrest back control with a five-wicket haul, but it was Zimbabwe’s game to shape from there.
Blessing Muzarabani’s exceptional spell of 6 wickets against Bangladesh
If there was a single spell that defined this match, it was Blessing Muzarabani’s sensational six-wicket haul in Bangladesh’s second innings. On a wicket that wasn’t offering much, the tall pacer extracted just enough bounce and movement to tear through the Bangladeshi batting line-up. From removing both openers to claiming the crucial scalps of Mushfiqur Rahim and Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Muzarabani’s fiery 6/72 set social media ablaze. His performance not only kept Zimbabwe in the hunt but also ensured Bangladesh set a modest target of 174 — one that still held its fair share of nerves in a Test context.
Brian Bennett holds the nerve during Zimbabwean chase
Chasing 174 in the fourth innings of a Test match in Asia is never easy, and Zimbabwe’s chase was anything but smooth. However, it was Bennett’s calm head and confident strokeplay that steered Zimbabwe through turbulent waters. His 54 from 81 balls, studded with seven boundaries and a six, provided the backbone of the chase. He found able support in Ben Curran (44) early on, as the duo put on 95 for the first wicket.
Even as wickets began to tumble – from 127/3 to 161/7 – Bennett’s knock ensured Zimbabwe always stayed just ahead of the curve. His dismissal at 128 briefly reignited Bangladesh’s hopes, but Madhevere and Ngarava ensured there would be no last-minute hiccups, taking Zimbabwe over the line beating Bangladesh by 3 wickets in the First Test.
Also WATCH: Blessing Muzarabani sends Hasan Mahmud packing with a peach on Day 1 of BAN vs ZIM first Test
Here’s how twitter reacted:
Zimbabwe defeated Bangladesh by 3 wickets in the first Test match 🙌🏏
— betvisa68.com (@CricketTimesHQ)
Blessing Muzarabani is my Man of the Match! His wickets, especially in the Bangladesh 2nd innings were crucial for Zimbabwe!
— Tonderayi Machiridza (@tonde_machi)
Appreciation post Blessing Muzarabani. The greatest
— Edmond (@Edmond06955277)
This is a Blessing Muzarabani appreciation post. Mabhunu, unogona💯
— ChiSikandar Raza (@drjhmapfumo)
Zimbabwe hold their nerve to beat Bangladesh by three wickets in a nail-biting finish to the first Test in Sylhet! 🔥
— Zimbabwe Cricket (@ZimCricketv)
Blessing Muzarabani has ripped through Bangladesh 🇧🇩 like a whirlwind !
The Tigers will remember his name looking after the end of this series— dillerman (@sizi92779)
Blessing Muzarabani, that's the tweet🙌🏻
— nomsa moyo (@moyo35003)
Brian Bennett is sooooo good
— larry kwirirayi ✍📔 (@kwirirayi)
Brian Bennett becomes the 5th Zimbabwean player to hit back to back half centuries in a test match! Thee Generational Talent 🔥🇿🇼
— M A Y O R OF KWEKWE 🌴 (@bxllyville)
50 for Brian Bennett🇿🇼🤌🏼
— Adam Theo🇿🇼🏏 (@AdamTheofilatos)
Also READ: Latest ICC Rankings
