Sports Reporter :
Bangladesh lost to Zimbabwe by three wickets on the fourth day of their first Test match at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium on Wednesday.
Blessing Muzarabani captured altogether (3+6)=9 wickets at the cost of (50+72)=112 runs. He was adjudged the Man of the Match for his superb bowling display.
Electing to bat first Bangladesh scored 191 in their first innings on the first day (Sunday).
In reply, Zimbabwe piled up a huge 273 in their first innings on the second day (Monday).
Bangladesh made a fighting 255 in the second innings on the fourth day (Wednesday).
Needing 174 runs to win, Zimbabwe reached the winning target scoring exact 174 runs for the loss of seven wickets on the fourth day. Bangladesh resumed their second innings with the over-night score of 194 for the loss of four wickets.
Najmul Hossain Shanto and Jaker Ali resumed their second innings with the over-night score of 60 and 21 runs respectively.
Shanto failed to add more runs on the fourth day as he was caught at the backward point by Victor Nyauchi off Blessing Muzarabani when Bangladesh’s score was 194 for the loss of five wickets.
Later, Jaker Ali and Hasan Mahmud built a notable partnership scoring together 35 runs for the eighth wicket stand before Hasan Mahmud (12) was caught at the mid-off by Blessing Muzarabani off Wellington Masakadza when the Tigers’ total was 248 for the loss of eight wickets.
Jaker Ali knocked a superb 58. His 111-ball innings was ornamented with four fours and a sixer. He was caught at the deep midwicket by Nick Welch off Blessing Muzarabani when Bangladesh’s 2nd innings came to an end.
Wellington Masakadza picked up two wickets for 20 runs.
Zimbabwe had a good start with two openers Brian Bennett and Ben Curran added together 95 runs in the opening stand before Ben Curran was caught at the mid-off by Khaled Ahmed off Mehidy Hasan Miraz.
Curran made 44 from 75 balls featuring seven fours, Later, Zimbabwe failed to make any notable partnership.
Bennett notched up a superb 54. He hit seven fours and a sixer in his 81-ball innings before he was caught at the long-on by Mushfiqur Rahim off Mehidy Hasan Miraz when Zimbawe’s total was 128 for the loss of four wickets.
Wessly Madhevera and Richard Ngarave helped their side to anchor the victory spot. Miraz restored some parity for his country claiming five wickets instead of 50 runs. Earlier, Miraz captured five wickets in lieu of 52 runs in the first innings.
Taijul Islam got two wickets giving 70 runs.
