Zimbabwe start strong, Bangladesh disappointed

Zimbabwe have been set a target of 174 runs to win the one-off Test against Bangladesh in Dhaka—but history is not on their side. Despite a disciplined bowling performance across both innings, they will need to break new ground to secure victory.

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Bangladesh Collapse Despite Gritty Efforts Lower-Order Resistance Brief Scores:

In the entire history of Zimbabwean Test cricket, they have never successfully chased more than 162 runs. That came back in 1998 against Pakistan. Since then, they’ve only managed two more fourth-innings victories with targets over 100. In total, Zimbabwe have only won five Tests while chasing in the final innings.

Bangladesh Collapse Despite Gritty Efforts

Bangladesh began the day on 57/1 but suffered a morning collapse, losing six wickets for just 61 runs. Their innings finally folded at 255, giving them a modest but potentially tricky target for Zimbabwe to chase.

Blessing Muzarabani was the star of the day with a sensational spell, finishing with figures of 6/72. His victims included key batters like Najmul Hossain Shanto, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, and Zakir Ali, who tried to hold the innings together with a determined 58 off 111 balls.

Earlier in the innings, Shanto contributed 60, but no other batter could significantly support the total. Zimbabwe’s bowling attack, led by Muzarabani and supported by Wellington Masakadza (2/20) and Richard Ngarava (1/74), kept up relentless pressure.

Lower-Order Resistance

Zakir Ali, the final recognized batter, took a cautious route by rotating strike to lower-order partner Hasan Mahmud. While the approach drew some criticism, it allowed Bangladesh to stretch their lead. Hasan added 12 from 58 balls, providing valuable resistance before falling to a rash shot off Masakadza.

Syed Khaled Ahmed lasted only one ball, falling for a golden duck. Taijul Islam and Mehidy Hasan Miraz also departed early, contributing just 1 and 11 runs respectively.