Bangladesh hand Zimbabwe a 220-run loss in the one-off Test

SCORECARD

Bangladesh dictated terms on the final day of the one-off Test at Harare. With seven wickets needed to win the match, Bangladesh picked up four in the first session, followed by three wickets in the afternoon that sealed a comprehensive win over Zimbabwe who were bowled out for 256.

Dion Myers (18*) and Donald Tiripano (7*) resumed the final day to counter the Bangladesh barrage but the visitors had a different plan.

Myers became the first wicket to fall in the morning which triggered an implosion that left them impaired. Zimbabwe needed a formidable partnership to play out a draw. However, right after the drinks break, Mehidy Hasan snared the wicket of Myers (26) with a flighted delivery that was caught by Shadman Islam.

In the same over, Mehidy trapped Timycen Maruma for a duck in front of the stumps with the ball turning in sharply. Then, the wicket-taking mantle was passed on to Taskin Ahmed who displayed immaculate fast bowling for which Zimbabwe had no response. The pacer removed Roy Kaia (0) leg-before while he knocked over Regis Chakabva’s (1) stumps with the ball seaming in.

The hosts lost four wickets in the first session while they added 36 runs with Tiripano still holding guard.

Taskin had Victor Nyuchi rattled, sending his stumps cartwheeling but it was not to be. The replays showed that Taskin’s foot was over the bowling crease and a no-ball was called, giving him an extended yet short-lived stay.

Thereafter, Taskin ensured he got his man and Nyuchi was sent packing for 10 runs as he gave away a simple chance to Shakib Al Hasan at slips. Tiripano who had come on nightwatchman duties gave Zimbabwe hope to defer defeat but couldn't carry on as Ebadot Hossain soon dismissed him after he smashed his maiden Test fifty. His knock of 52 runs off 144 balls was studded with six fours.

With Bangladesh only one wicket away from victory, the afternoon session's play was extended. Blessing Muzarabani (30*) and Richard Ngarava (10) blocked the ball at the best of their abilities but the man with the most wickets in this Test - nine in total - Mehidy Hasan picked up the final wicket of Ngarava to help Bangladesh take the match with 220 runs.

The tour now moves to white-ball cricket for one-day action, starting 16 July at Harare.