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The first Test between Bangladesh and Zimbabwe at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium began with all the elements that make the longest format so captivating—grit, skill, and flashes of brilliance. With the pitch offering just enough for the seamers early on and batting gradually easing out, both teams experienced ebbs and flows throughout Day 1. Bangladesh, after being put in to bat, managed 191 runs in 61 overs, thanks to a fighting half-century from Mominul Haque (56 off 105) and some late resistance from Hasan Mahmud, who struck a handy 19 runs off 30 balls.
Zimbabwe’s bowlers, particularly Blessing Muzarabani, made life difficult for the Bangladeshi batters with consistent bounce and movement. Muzarabani, alongside Wellington Masakadza and Victor Nyauchi, tore through the middle and lower order. The standout moment of the day came in the 60th over, when Muzarabani delivered a near-unplayable delivery that sent Hasan Mahmud back to the pavilion and brought the innings to the brink of collapse.
Blessing Muzarbani shatters Hasan Mahmud’s stumps with an absolute jaffa
It was the 59.3rd over, and Bangladesh were clinging on at 187/8 when Muzarabani, already having taken two wickets, delivered an absolute gem. Known for his awkward bounce and ability to extract movement off the surface, Muzarabani set up Mahmud with a back-of-a-length ball that looked deceptively fuller. Mahmud, expecting the short one, got caught flat-footed. His feet rooted to the crease, he poked at the delivery in an unsure manner.
The ball, pitched on middle and off, jagged away sharply and zipped past the outside edge, knocking back the top of middle and off stump. Mahmud, who had shown glimpses of promise with four crisp boundaries in his 19-run cameo, could only watch in disbelief as his stumps were sent cartwheeling. It was a peach of a delivery—classic fast bowling that combined precision, deception, and execution. Muzarabani finished the day with figures of 3 for 50 in 19 overs, playing a pivotal role in restricting Bangladesh to a below-par first-innings total.
Here’s the video:
Blessing "Mabhunu" Muzarabani gets one through the gates ! The 1st wicket to fall after tea! Bangladesh now 8 down here. Muza now has 3 wickets for the innings, special talent he is!!#BANvZIM #ZimCricketwitter pic.twitter.com/SnblvKjckL
— Hon. MatopeNigel (@MatopeNigell) April 20, 2025
Zimbabwe seize the momentum on Day 2
As play resumed on Day 2, Zimbabwe began their reply confidently. Openers Brian Bennett and Ben Curran gave the visitors a brisk start under clear skies. Bennett in particular was aggressive, reaching his half-century off just 56 balls, dispatching the bowlers to all parts with 9 boundaries.
The openers stitched together a solid 69-run partnership before Curran fell for 18. This was followed by a flurry of wickets—Bennett was dismissed shortly after reaching 57, and Nick Welch was cleaned up by Hasan for just 2. But Sean Williams stood firm. The experienced left-hander played a composed innings, blending caution with counterattack, and reached his half-century (off 87 balls) with a couple of lusty sixes.
At the drinks break in the second session of Day 2, Zimbabwe found themselves at 177/5 in 49.3 overs—16 runs ahead of Bangladesh’s total—with Williams unbeaten on 56 and Nyasha Mayavo giving him company at the crease. With five wickets in hand and a lead starting to build, Zimbabwe have their noses slightly ahead, thanks to their disciplined bowling on Day 1 and a solid, if slightly jittery, response with the bat.
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