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Brandon Moyo Zimpapers Sports Hub
ZIMBABWE Test skipper Craig Ervine has let on that things got a bit tense in the dressing room as the Chevrons got within a whisker of a historic record chase against Bangladesh in the first Test, which wrapped up on Wednesday at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium.
The Chevrons, who had never successfully chased more than 162 in the fourth innings of a Test, were set a target of 174 runs and crossed the line with three wickets to spare, sealing their first overseas Test win since 2018.
Ervine said they wanted the victory more than anything else. The veteran skipper also heaped praise on his bowling unit, led by Blessing Muzarabani.
“There were some nerves in the change room (unfamiliar to chasing in the fourth innings). There were some nerves of wanting to get over the line, wanting that win more than anything else.
“With Blessing, we felt like in this Test match he was our strike bowler. Richard (Ngarava) and Victor (Nyauchi) played an important role, as well as Wellington (Masakadza) and other spinners. Between those spells, it’s important that you don’t leak too many runs and when Blessing came back and bowled, the majority of his balls caused a lot of problems,” said Ervine.
He said that their strategy going into the Sylhet Test was to get early wickets and is happy that they managed to execute their plan well. He also touched on why they went in with three seamers.
“We wanted to get early wickets and getting Shanto out as early as that in the first over (of day four) was great for us. We felt like we needed to get a few early wickets (on day four) and not just Shanto, and the way Blessing started was outstanding, it gave that opportunity to put the squeeze on.
“We expected there to be a little bit of grass if you look at the history and games. We weren’t too sure how the wicket was going to play but we felt like seamers would play a big role in it,” said Ervine.
The Sylhet victory is Zimbabwe’s fourth overseas Test win, coming off a record chase as they completed their highest successful chase. Ironically, Zimbabwe’s previous overseas Test win, in 2018, also came in Sylhet. This was also the Chevrons’ first Test win in four years, having last tasted red-ball cricket victory in 2021.
The second game is scheduled to start on 28 April in Chattogram.
— @brandon_malvin.
Online Reporter