Bangladesh's first Test win in Zimbabwe

The Dhaka Times Desk After failing in the first test, Bangladesh defeated Zimbabwe by 143 runs in the second test to level the two-match test series at 1-1. It was Bangladesh's first Test match win since August 2009, 4th overall.

Bangladesh's first Test win came against Zimbabwe in 2005 before a 2-0 win against the West Indies almost 4 years ago. Today's victory was also a sign of improvement in Bangladesh's Test game.

Zimbabwe's last wicket partnership of Hamilton Masakadza and Kyle Jarvis in 11.3 consecutive overs was the thorn in Bangladesh's path to victory. But with 20 minutes left of the tea break, all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan ensured the team's victory by trapping Jarvis in the spin trap.

The anointed Ziaur Rahman failed in the first innings but Zimbabwe had to be tested well against his bowling in the second innings. After picking up 2 wickets yesterday with the help of medium pace, the Zimbabwean hit the camp again with 2 wickets in the third session on the last day, taking a total of 4 wickets for 63 runs.

Although Zimbabwe showed surprise in the first test, they could not stand up against Bangladesh in the second test. After lunch they only narrowed the margin of defeat, eventually being bowled out for 257 in the second innings.

Masakadja brothers left the field undefeated yesterday, but Ashraful broke their pair this morning and gave Bangladesh the first breakthrough. Ashraful dismissed Shingi Masakadza lbw after 18.1 overs in the first session of the day. Shortly after that, Elton Chigumbura caught Rabiul off Sohag Gazi's ball. Mutumbani was bowled by Ziaur Rahman, Graeme Creamer got out after being caught by Nasir Hossain. Rabiul, who struck terror in the Zimbabwean camp with 5 wickets in the first innings, got the only wicket in the second innings when Kegan Mith was lbw.

Pacer Robiul bagged the match of the series award in the two-match Test series. In addition to 6 wickets in the second match, he also took 9 wickets in the first match. Along with that, he became the first Bangladeshi pacer to bowl more than 100 overs in the entire series. The previous record was held by Khaled Mahmood, who bowled 99 overs in a 3-match Test series against Pakistan in 2003. Man of the match was Mushfiqur Rahim who missed the century for just 7 runs in the second innings.

It was a prestigious Test series for Bangladesh. Despite losing the first match by a big margin due to some mistakes and bad umpiring, they bounced back in the second match. Although bad umpiring did not leave behind here.

But apart from bad umpiring, this Test series will be remembered for Rabiul's amazing bowling and Mushfiqur's captaincy batting in both innings in the last match. Shakib Al Hasan, the best all-rounder of the team, indicated that he would keep his form with 4 wickets along with a half-century in both innings of the second match. Nightwatchman Nasir Hussain has also shown his importance in the team by making fifty in dangerous times in two innings.

Summary Score:

Bangladesh: 391 (Shaqib 81, Nasir 77, Nasir 77; Chigumbura 3/75) Mushfiqur 60 and 291/9 dec. (Tamim 7, Zahurul 2, Ashraful 4, Mominul 29, Shakib 59, Mushfiq 93, Nasir 67*, Zia 0, Sohag 11, Sajedul 4, Rabiul 4*; Shingirai 4/58, Hamilton 3/24, Kramer 1/70 , Jarvis 1/80).

Zimbabwe: 282 (Chigumbura 86, Mutumbami 42; Rabiul 5/85, Sohag 4/59) and 257 (Sibanda 32, Chakabva 22, Hamilton 111*, Taylor 10, Waller 15, Shingirai 24, Chigumbura 2, Mutumbami 12, Kramer 3) , Meth 4, Jarvis 7; Zia 4/63, Shakib 3/52, Ashraful 1/13, Rabiul 1/53, Sohag 1/56).