1st Test: Blessing Muzarabani's nine-wicket match haul powers Zimbabwe to thrilling win over Bangladesh

NEW DELHI: Blessing Muzarabani's outstanding nine-wicket match figures and resolute batting from Zimbabwe's batsmen enabled them to secure a remarkable three-wicket victory over Bangladesh in the first Test of the two-match series in Sylhet.
Despite Mehidy Hasan Miraz's second five-wicket haul of the match, Zimbabwe's batsmen displayed composure to chase down the target of 174 in the third session of the fourth day, securing their first win against Bangladesh since 2018 and their first triumph against any team in four years, taking a 1-0 lead.
Also See: IPL Live Score
Brian Bennett's second fifty of the match spearheaded Zimbabwe's chase on a surface that Bangladesh's bowlers failed to exploit early on.
Bennett and Ben Curran laid a solid foundation with a 95-run opening partnership before Curran fell to Mehidy while attempting an ill-advised shot.
Mehidy quickly claimed four more wickets, causing concern in the Zimbabwe camp, while Taijul Islam contributed with two wickets. However, Wessly Madhevere, Wellington Masakadza, and Richard Ngarava held their nerve to guide Zimbabwe home.

Bangladesh posted 255 in their second innings, with captain Najmul Hossain Shanto and wicket-keeper-batter Jaker Ali scoring fifties, but the failures of batsmen like Mushfiqur Rahim and Mehidy prevented them from setting a more challenging target.
The Sylhet pitch is known to assist fast bowlers, but unlike Muzarabani, Bangladesh's pacemen failed to capitalise on the home conditions, leaving the spin duo of Mehidy and Taijul with an uphill task.
Zimbabwe's first-innings response of 273 to Bangladesh's 191, coupled with an 82-run lead, put them in a commanding position, which they capitalised on to record a significant victory, their eighth against Bangladesh in 19 Tests, equaling Bangladesh's number of wins against them.
The second and final Test is scheduled for Chattogram from April 28.