Day 1 review: Dominant Zimbabwe rattle Bangladesh in Sylhet Test opener

ASHLEY DUBE

Zimbabwe 67 for no loss (Bennett 40*, Curran 17*) trail Bangladesh 191 (Mominul 56, Shanto 40, Masakadza 3-21, Muzarabani 3-50) by 124 runs

Sylhet – Zimbabwe made a powerful statement on day one of the Sylhet Test match, outplaying Bangladesh in their own backyard with a commanding performance both with ball and bat. After bundling out the hosts for just 191 runs, the Chevrons ended the day unscathed on 67 without loss, trailing by just 124 runs.

Image: Zimbabwe Cricket 

Wellington Masakadza and Blessing Muzarabani led the charge with three wickets apiece, dismantling Bangladesh’s batting lineup with blistering pace, bounce, and solid discipline. Victor Nyauchi and Wessly Madhevere chipped in with two wickets each, ensuring Zimbabwe’s dominance throughout the day.

Openers Brian Bennett (40*) and Ben Curran (17*) then capped off Zimbabwe’s strong day, negotiating the final 14.1 overs with poise. Their confident start rekindled memories of Zimbabwe’s famous win in Sylhet back in 2018, and the tourists will now have their eyes on a crucial first-innings lead.

Despite returning to Test cricket after a five-month hiatus, Bangladesh’s batting frailties resurfaced. For the sixth time in their last ten innings, they failed to cross the 200-run mark—a worrying trend for the Tigers.

The day began with Victor Nyauchi making early inroads. He removed Shadman Islam with a wide delivery that Bennett plucked brilliantly at gully, then dismissed Mahmudul Hasan Joy in his next over, edging to the keeper. At the other end, Mominul Haque was handed a life early on when Nyasha Mayavo couldn’t hold onto a tricky edge off Muzarabani. The pair of Mominul and Shanto steadied things slightly as Bangladesh went to lunch on 84 for 2.

But Zimbabwe weren’t done yet. After a rain-extended break, Muzarabani relentlessly tested Shanto with short balls, one of which finally found its man: Shanto falling to a tame shot to point after a fluent 40.

That dismissal triggered a middle-order collapse. Mushfiqur Rahim’s tame flick to short midwicket off Masakadza gifted Zimbabwe another wicket. Soon after, Mominul’s promising 56 ended in similarly soft fashion, picking out the same fielder in a moment of indecision.

Muzarabani’s raw pace did the rest—unsettling Mehidy Hasan Miraz with a snorter that led to an easy catch behind. The tail folded rapidly, with Masakadza picking up his third and Madhevere wrapping up the innings with two wickets in an over.

Zimbabwe will now look to press home the advantage and build a significant lead, with Bennett and Curran already setting a solid platform. The Chevrons couldn’t have scripted a better start.