SYLHET, Nov 6, 2018 (BSS)- Bangladesh’s second innings collapsed dramatically as visiting Zimbabwe beat Bangladesh by 151 runs in the first Test to take 1-0 lead of the two-match series by claiming their first Test victory after five years on Tuesday.
Debutant spinner Brendon Mavuta grabbed 4-21 while Sikandar Raza grabbed 3-41 as Bangladesh were allout for 169 in the second innings to chase the winning target of 321 runs at Sylhet International Cricket Stadium in Sylhet.
Bangladesh are in a deep trouble as they lost five wickets in the first session scoring 111 for 5 at lunch after the host chasing a record target of 321 runs in the fourth innings, resumed play on 26 for no loss but within half-an-hour had lost their first wicket, with others following quickly.
After a stable start in the morning session, the Tigers lost the wickets of Liton Das, Mominul Haque and Imrul Kayes, Mahmudullah, Nazmul Hossain Shanto in their chase of second innings.
Liton and Imrul Kayes continued from their overnight partnership of 26 runs to add 30 more runs in the morning session. Liton was troubled by Sikandar Raza and eventually fell to the spinner, out leg-before wicket.
Opener Liton was initially given not out by the umpire but Zimbabwe forced a review and got a decision on their favour to break the 56-run opening partnership.
Mominul Haque (9) then perished to Kyle Jarvis while Kayes had gotten a life earlier when backed to the pavilion being a clean bowled by Raza. Kayes top scored 43 runs off 103 balls laced with six boundaries before being clean bowled.
Debutant Ariful Haque played a quick knock of 37-ball off 38 but it just helped to reduce the defeat margin as Tigers were eventually all out for 169 in 63.1 overs.
Bangladesh went to lunch session struggling on 111 for 5, having just lost captain Mahmudullah who gave a catch to Ervine at square-leg attempting a sweep, and Nazmul Hossain Shanto, who timed a rank long-hop to Raza at cover.
Brandon Mavuta joined the party dismissing Nazmul Hossain (13), leaving Bangladesh in a deep trouble.
Wicket keeper Mushfiqur Rahim (13) was the first wicket to fall after the lunch break, when he swept Mavuta down deep square-leg. Wellington Masakadza took a great catch diving forward.
Soon, Mehidy Hasan (7) and Taijul Islam (0) also lasted a little getting caught behind and holing out to mid-on respectively.
Mavuta, who had removed Mehidy, then took the wicket of Nazmul Islam making him clean bowled to complete his fourth wicket haul giving away 21 runs.
Apart from Mavuta’s four wickets haul, Sikandar Raza claimed three Bangladesh’s wickets conceding for 41 runs while Wellington Masakadza bagged two wickets for 33 runs.
Sean Williams was named the player of the match for his impressive batting performance.
The second and final Test of the series will begin on November 11 at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium at Mirpur.