Tigers suffer shocking defeat

Zimbabwe recorded their first ever away Test win since 2001 on Tuesday as they beat hosts Bangladesh by 151 runs in the first Test in Sylhet.

Needing 321 to win the match, the Tigers could only manage 169, with Brandon Mavuta and Sikandar Raza tormenting the Bangladesh batsmen.

It was only the third away win in Zimbabwe’s history, but a win they thoroughly deserved.

Openers Imrul Kayes and Liton Das added 30 runs to their overnight score of 26 before Sikandar Raza struck three times to derail the Bangladesh batting in the morning.

He first trapped Liton Das (23) leg before while Kyle Jarvis bowled Mominul Haque (6) five overs later.

Raza then put an end to Imrul’s innings, as the batsman was bowled trying to do a paddle sweep. His 43 runs came courtesy of six fours.

The spinner made captain Mahmudullah (16) his next scalp when substitute Sean Irvine took a catch and Brandon Mavuta made Nazmul Hossain Shanto (13) give a catch to Raza as the umpires called an end to the day’s first session.

Mavuta and Wellington Masakadza now took things in their hands by moping the tail with an embarrassing ease. Like the first innings, Ariful Haque once again delayed the doom, this time making 38 with four fours and two sixes.

Sean Williams was named the Player of the Match for his 108 runs over two innings. Bangladesh spinner Taijul Islam had bagged 11 wickets in the game, but that was not enough to avoid a big defeat.

Bangladesh made 143 runs in the first innings in response to Zimbabwe’s 282.

The visitors were then bundled out for 181 runs in the second innings, as the visitors set the hosts a 321-run target.

The second and final Test will begin on 11 November. Bangladesh have four days to look back at this defeat, they have been among wins of late and this loss was certainly a shock.

But not the most pessimist of fans would have feared a series defeat at home to Zimbabwe. It is up to the players now to bounce back.