SYLHET: The Zimbabwe bowlers secured a thrilling 151-run victory in the first Test against Bangladesh in Sylhet on Tuesday, 6 November to take a 1-0 lead in the two-Test series, reported ICC.
Brandon Mavuta and Sikandar Raza shared seven wickets between them to roll Bangladesh over for 169 on a sporting day four pitch.
Imrul Kayes was Bangladesh’s top-scorer with 43 – adding 31 to his overnight score – while debutant Ariful Haque played some entertaining shots in the end to score 38. That, however, couldn’t prevent the visitors, who last won a Test in September 2013, from securing a fine 151-run victory. It was Zimbabwe’s third away win in Test history.
Liton Das and Imrul Kayes had done well to take Bangladesh to stumps at 26/0. But Zimbabwe started making quick inroads on the fourth morning.
Das was the first to fall for 23 – an addition of just nine to his overnight score, struck in front when he failed to get bat on an attempted pull shot off a half-tracker by Sikandar Raza. Zimbabwe used the review to good effect, and a crucial blow was struck.
Pacer Kyle Jarvis got the ball to nip off the surface and intermittently also got some movement off the air, making him tricky to face. Mominul Haque tried to hit out and ended up chopping on to fall for nine.
Raza then worsened Bangladesh’s woes, accounting for Imrul Kayes and skipper Mahudullah in quick succession. Kayes, who had been batting well, was bowled round his legs when he tried to play a cheeky paddle, falling for 43.