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….claim first Test away win since 2018
“RELIEF” is hardly the first emotion that comes to mind after a monumental win.
But then again, the Zimbabwe Chevrons don’t do easy that well.
Zimbabwe fans breathed a collective sigh of relief as the Chevrons claimed a three-wicket victory over Bangladesh in an exciting and tense finish on the fourth day of the first Test in Sylhet on Wednesday.
The win saw Zimbabwe go 1-0 up in the two-match series.
It was Zimbabwe’s fourth overseas Test victory, which came after they completed their highest successful chase in the fourth innings.
Incidentally, Zimbabwe’s previous overseas Test win, in 2018, also came in Sylhet.
Blessing Muzarabani was the architect of the victory with a nine-wicket match haul that saw hosts Bangladesh bungled out for 255 runs in the second innings.
This in turn gave Zimbabwe a paltry target of 174 runs to claim victory.
Openers Ben Curran and Brian Burnnett put up 95 runs for the opening partnership, becoming only the fourth pair to post back-to-back 50-run partnerships in two innings of a Test.
The last pair to achieve this feat was Tino Mawoyo and Vusi Sibanda, ironically also against Bangladesh, back in 2011.
The two put up 95 runs off 126 balls to give Zimbabwe the platform required for their victory charge.
Unfortunately, Zimbabwe’s top and middle order failed to capitalise as wickets fell at regular intervals.
It needed Wessly Madhevere and number nine Richard Ngarava to push Zimbabwe over the line after they collapsed while needing less than 50 runs in their chase.
It was Mehidy Hasan Miraz who orchestrated a collapse when he picked up his second five-wicket haul in the Test.
He took his 200th Test wicket on the way to a ten-for, but it was in vain.
Madhevere reverse-swept him to the boundary to get Zimbabwe to their 174-run target.
Bennett and Curran top-scored for Zimbabwe with 54 runs off 81 balls and 44 runs off 75 balls, respectively.
Miraz was the pick of the Bangladeshi bowlers with five wickets for 50 runs while Taijul Islam chipped in with two scalps of his own.
Zimbabwe finished on 174 for seven, chasing what should have been a rather easy target.
Cricinfo/Zimpapers Sports Hub
Online Reporter