Zimbabwe pulled off a historic Test win on April 23 by defeating Bangladesh in Sylhet, securing their first away Test victory in seven years and just the fourth in their history. Led by Craig Ervine, the Zimbabwean side edged out the hosts in a tense contest, winning by three wickets and reaffirming their growing competitive edge in red-ball cricket.
Match Summary:
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Bangladesh 1st Innings: 191 all out
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Early cracks appeared as Blessing Muzarabani (3/50) tore through the top order.
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Zimbabwe 1st Innings: 273 all out
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A disciplined and patient batting display handed the visitors a vital lead of 82 runs.
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Bangladesh 2nd Innings: 255 all out
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Muzarabani returned with a devastating spell of 6/72, finishing with match figures of 9/122.
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Despite half-centuries from Najmul Hossain Shanto (60) and Jaker Ali (58), Bangladesh could only set Zimbabwe a target of 174.
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Zimbabwe 2nd Innings: 174/7
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A stellar opening stand of 95 between Brian Bennett and Ben Curran laid the foundation.
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Despite a few nervy moments later in the chase, Zimbabwe held their nerve to cross the finish line.
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Historical Significance:
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This was Zimbabwe’s first Test win away from home since beating Bangladesh in Chattogram in 2018.
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It is only their fourth away Test win in history:
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vs Pakistan (Peshawar, 1998)
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vs Bangladesh (Dhaka, 2001)
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vs Bangladesh (Chattogram, 2018)
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vs Bangladesh (Sylhet, 2025)
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Star Performer:
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Blessing Muzarabani was the undisputed hero with his 9-wicket haul, dismantling the Bangladeshi batting across both innings and setting up the platform for Zimbabwe's win.
What's Next:
This victory comes as a timely boost for Zimbabwe, whose Test appearances have been sporadic due to various cricketing and administrative challenges. With promising talent like Muzarabani and Brian Bennett stepping up, this could signal the start of a more stable phase for their red-ball future.
