Miraz’s stunning century and five-wicket haul level the series for Bangladesh with an innings victory over Zimbabwe
After a brilliant century, Mehidy Hasan Miraz shone with the ball, picking up five wickets to demolish Zimbabwe’s dramatic batting collapse. Bangladesh secured a dominant innings-and-106-run victory, leveling the two-match Test series 1–1.
As the sun played hide-and-seek with the rain throughout the day, the evening brought sudden suspense. The match result was never in doubt—but whether it would finish that very day sparked some excitement. The natural light had faded, floodlights took over, and time was extended as Bangladesh waited for the final wicket. In the end, Vincent Masikesi was run out by a direct throw from Mominul Haque, ending Zimbabwe’s innings and the match within just three days.
After a near-empty stadium on the first two days, Wednesday saw a decent crowd at Chattogram’s Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium. They were entertained thoroughly by Mehidy Hasan Miraz. First, he scored a century with the bat. Then, he claimed five wickets with the ball. Thanks to his all-round brilliance, the hosts clinched a convincing win and avoided a series loss.
Zimbabwe were bundled out for just 111 runs in their second innings.
Bangladesh had earlier posted 444 runs, thanks to Miraz’s ton and a solid partnership with debutant Tanzim Hasan Sakib. They secured a 217-run lead, which Zimbabwe never came close to challenging. They collapsed to 42 for 7, eventually losing before the end of Day 3.
After a humiliating defeat in the first Test, Bangladesh needed a commanding win to prove their mettle. The innings victory finally brought some relief, ending a six-match winless streak at home in Tests.
Miraz was the undisputed hero. On Wednesday, he hit his second Test century—his career-best 104 off 162 balls. At 36 during his innings, he reached the 2000-run milestone in Tests. The 27-year-old also recently joined the 200-wicket club in Sylhet, becoming only the second Bangladeshi, after Shakib Al Hasan, to achieve the coveted double of 2000 runs and 200 wickets in Tests.
Miraz even achieved it faster than Shakib, who reached the milestone in his 54th Test; Miraz did it in his 53rd.
He followed up his century with a magical spell, taking five wickets to trigger Zimbabwe’s collapse.
Miraz is now the third Bangladeshi cricketer to score a century and take five wickets in the same Test, after Shakib Al Hasan (twice) and Sohag Gazi.
Early in the day, Miraz got lucky when Vincent Masikesa’s delivery was dropped by Tafadzwa Tsiga while he was on 17. He made full use of that lifeline, punishing Zimbabwe’s ineffective bowling with boundaries.
Taijul Islam provided solidity at the other end as the pair added 63 runs together.
In the 10th over of the day, Taijul was stumped by Tsiga trying to drive Masikesa’s floated delivery. He scored 20 off 45 balls.
At that point, Miraz hadn’t even reached his fifty, likely not thinking about a century. But then came Tanzim Hasan Sakib, batting at number ten and playing impressively. With Tanzim giving him confidence, Miraz accelerated toward triple figures.
In the first session, Bangladesh scored 113 runs for the loss of just Taijul’s wicket. It was their first 400-plus score at home in nearly two years and 15 innings.
After lunch, Blessing Muzarabani tried the short-ball tactic. One bouncer struck Tanzim’s helmet, while another hit Miraz’s shoulder as he looked away.
Miraz responded with aggression. He pulled a chest-high bouncer for six off Muzarabani, reaching the 90s. But soon after, the nerves kicked in.
Trying a reverse sweep off Madhevere, Tanzim lost his balance and the ball brushed his glove—Nick Welch took an easy catch at silly mid-off. Tanzim scored 41 off 80 balls with 2 fours and 1 six. Their 95-run ninth-wicket stand came to an end.
Miraz was on 98. Hasan Mahmud blocked the last ball of the over. On the first ball of the next over, Miraz ran two, narrowly avoiding a run-out due to a poor throw.
Hasan safely negotiated five more balls. Then finally, Miraz reached his century with a single—the same ground where he had scored his first Test ton four years ago, against West Indies.
He didn’t last long afterward. Trying to charge Masikesa, Miraz was stumped.
Masikesa became the third Zimbabwean to take five wickets on Test debut, finishing with 5 for 115 from 31.2 overs.
With a lead of 217, Bangladesh opened their second innings bowling with spin. In the seventh over, Taijul gave the hosts their first breakthrough, with Shadman Islam taking the catch at second slip to dismiss Brian Bennett.
The very next ball, Nick Welch shouldered arms and was struck on the pad. Though the umpire wasn’t convinced, a review sent Welch back.
After tea, Naeem Hasan dismissed Sean Williams, who had batted well in the first innings. Shadman took another catch at second slip.
Zimbabwe were 22 for 3 when Ben Curran and Craig Ervine tried to stabilize things with a 47-run partnership.
Shanto dropped a sitter at first slip off Miraz’s bowling, giving Ervine a life on 16. Shanto later quipped, “I’ve dropped a lot in life, but nothing like that.”
Even with the reprieve, Ervine didn’t last, bowled by Miraz while trying to step out. On the last ball of the same over, Madhevere was trapped lbw.
In his next over, Miraz dismissed Tsiga with a catch at silly mid-off. Four wickets still remained, but keeper Zakir Ali shouted from behind the stumps, “We have 13 overs left, let’s finish it today!” Miraz and Taijul did just that.
Ben Curran and Wellington Masakadza added 20 for the seventh wicket. Miraz dismissed both in successive overs. Curran was caught behind, giving Miraz his 13th career five-for.
Shanto, standing at slip, kept urging bowlers on: “I want to go home today—finish it off, brother!” His wish came true quickly. Richard Ngarava tried to hit a six off Taijul but was caught at deep mid-wicket.
The final wicket took some time, as Muzarabani and Masikesa batted over 20 balls. But eventually, Mominul Haque’s direct hit sent Masikesa packing—and the celebrations began.
Score Summary
- Zimbabwe 1st Innings: 227
- Bangladesh 1st Innings: 444 all out in 129.2 overs (Miraz 104, Taijul 20, Tanzim 41, Hasan 0*; Masikesa 5/115)
- Zimbabwe 2nd Innings: 111 all out in 46.2 overs (Curran 46; Miraz 5/32, Taijul 3/42)
Result: Bangladesh won by an innings and 106 runs
Player of the Match: Mehidy Hasan Miraz
Player of the Series: Mehidy Hasan Miraz
Series Result: 2-match Test series drawn 1–1
