Sports Reporter :
Bangladesh recorded a massive 220-run victory over Zimbabwe in their lone Test match on the fifth and final day at Harare Sports Club Ground in Zimbabwe on Sunday. The score: Bangladesh 468 and 284/1, Zimbabwe 276 and 256.
Electing to bat first, Bangladesh piled up a mammoth total of 468 runs in the first innings, thanks to Mahmudullah Riyad, Liton Das and Mominul Haque, who scored 150, 95 and 70 runs respectively. Mahmudullah Riyad remained unbeaten with 150. His patient 278-ball innings had 17 fours and a sixer. He stayed 413 minutes at the crease before Bangladesh’s first innings came to an end on the second day (Thursday). Riyad was adjudged the Man of the Match for his painstaking innings.
In reply, Zimbabwe scored 276 in the first innings on the third day (Friday). Zimbabwe rode on openers Takudzwanashe Kaitano and one-down Brendan Taylor, who made 87 and 81 runs respectively.
Mehidy Hasan Miraz grabbed five wickets at the cost of 82 runs, while Shakib Al Hasan captured four wickets in the space of 82 runs.
Later, Bangladesh scored 284 for the loss of one wicket in the second innings and Captain of Bangladesh team Mominul Haque declared the second innings on the fourth day (Saturday) and set a huge target of 477 runs to win for Zimbabwe in the second innings.
Chasing 477 runs to win, the hosts were bundled out for 256 runs on the fifth and final day (Sunday).
Zimbabwe resumed their second innings with the overnight score of 140 for the loss of three wickets. Dion Myers and Donald Tiripano resumed their second innings with the overnight score of 18 and seven runs respectively.
Myers could add eight more runs on the fifth day as he was caught at the short midwicket by Shadman Islam off Mehidy Hasan Miraz when the home side’s total was 159 for the loss of four wickets.
Then Mehidy Hasan Miraz trapped Timycen Maruma leg before wicket for naught when the African side’s score was 159 for the loss of five wickets.
Right-arm pacer Taskin Ahmed struck Roy Kaia (0) leg before wicket by the right-arm pacer when the hosts’ total was 160 for the loss of six wickets.
Taskin struck again as Regis Chakabva (1) was bowled by right-arm pacer when Zimbabwe’s score was 164 for the loss of seven wickets.
Victor Nyauchi (10) was caught at the first slip by Shakib Al Hasan off Taskin Ahmed when the home side’s total was 198 for the loss of eight wickets.
Donald Tiripano who fought back against the tight and controlled bowling attack of Bangladesh was caught behind by wicketkeeper Liton Das off Ebadot Hossain when the hosts’ score was 239 for the loss of nine wickets.
Tiripano made 52 from 144 deliveries featuring six fours.
Number 11 batsman Richrad Ngrava (10) was bowled out by Miraz and Zimbabwe’s second innings came to an end.
Miraz and Taskin claimed four wickets each in the space of 66 and 82 runs respectively.
Besides, Shakib and Ebadot took one wicket apiece.
