Zimbabwe Dominates Day 1, Bangladesh Bowled Out for 191

SYLHET: Zimbabwe seized control early, dismissing Bangladesh for a mere 191 runs on the first day of the initial Test match.

The Zimbabwean bowling attack was spearheaded by Wellington Masakadza and Blessing Muzarabani, each claiming three wickets. Victor Nyauchi and Wessly Madhevere offered valuable assistance, securing two wickets apiece.

At the close of play, the visiting team was in a commanding position, with openers Ben Curran and Brian Bennett successfully navigating 14.1 overs, accumulating 67 runs without losing any wickets.

Zimbabwe could not have envisioned a more favorable commencement, particularly at a venue where they previously triumphed over Bangladesh seven years prior. Bangladesh’s batting struggles persisted, despite a five-month hiatus from Test cricket. This marks the sixth instance in their last ten Test innings where they have been bowled out for under 200.

Bangladesh’s top-order batsmen once again failed to establish a strong foundation, and the middle order faltered following a brief period of stability. After reaching a promising 98 for 2, they lost four wickets, adding only 48 runs.

Mominul Haque emerged as the top scorer with 56 runs, while captain Najmul Hossain Shanto contributed 40, although neither batsman managed to convert their starts into substantial scores.

Nyauchi delivered crucial early breakthroughs for Zimbabwe within the first hour. He disrupted the opening partnership with his fourth delivery, as Shadman Islam edged a wide ball to gully, resulting in a sharp diving catch by Brian Bennett.

In his subsequent over, Nyauchi dismissed Mahmudul Hasan Joy, who edged the ball behind after facing a probing line, ultimately falling for 14 runs.

At the opposite end, Mominul received an early reprieve when wicketkeeper Nyasha Mayavo dropped a difficult chance after Mominul awkwardly fended off a short ball from Muzarabani. Despite the pressure, Bangladesh reached lunch at 84 for 2, having weathered Zimbabwe’s initial bowling assault.

However, the visitors displayed renewed vigor after the break, which was extended by 30 minutes due to rain. Muzarabani relentlessly targeted Shanto with a barrage of short deliveries. After hitting six boundaries during his innings, Shanto eventually succumbed to the tactic, mistiming a pull shot and offering a straightforward catch to Madhevere at point.

There remained hope that Bangladesh’s experienced duo—Mushfiqur Rahim and Mominul—could stabilize the innings. Instead, their dismissals triggered a collapse of the batting order.

Mushfiqur was dismissed shortly after Shanto, scoring only four runs, providing Masakadza with a wicket in his first over. He was visibly surprised when he hit a simple catch to short midwicket, where Bennett secured the catch without error.

Mominul was the next to depart, chipping Masakadza to the same fielder at short midwicket after scoring 56 runs. Perhaps aiming to accelerate the scoring rate, his soft dismissal occurred at a critical juncture.

Muzarabani then reverted to his short-ball strategy and dismissed Mehidy Hasan Miraz with a particularly challenging delivery. Mehidy, caught off guard, awkwardly gloved the ball to the keeper, resulting in a straightforward catch.

The tail-enders quickly succumbed, leaving Jaker Ali stranded at the other end. Taijul Islam was caught behind down the leg side, awarding Masakadza his third wicket.

Muzarabani bowled Hasan Mahmud cleanly, and Madhevere concluded the innings by removing both Jaker and Nahid Rana in the same over, bringing Bangladesh’s innings to a close in the 61st over.