Zimbabwe register exciting win

Zimbabwe 370 (Masakadza 104, Sibanda 78, Taylor 71) and 291 for 5 dec (Taylor 105*, Taibu 59) strike Bangladesh 287 (Nafees 50, Ashraful 73, Shakib 68, Vitori 4-66) and 244 by 130 runs

Zimbabwe


Zimbabwe have registered an affecting 130-run win over Bangladesh in the only Test in Harare and completed a winning return to the longer format of the game.

Returning to Test cricket after their self-imposed exile, Zimbabwe bundled out Bangladesh for 244 runs in their second innings as crazy revels began in the Harare Sports Club ground.

Bangladesh had started the day on 112 for three in pursuit of an improbable victory target of 375.

But the loss of five wickets meant Bangladesh was facing defeat and Zimbabwe was on the edge of a winning return.

Bangladesh lost Mohammad Ashraful to leave the tourists on 140 for four and still 235 runs away from recording an unlikely win.

Ashraful had put jointly a partnership of 38 with Mushfiqur Rahim before he was bowled by Brian Vitori for 39 off an inside edge.

When Bangladesh lost Mahmudullah, Shakib Al Hasan and Mushfiqur Rahim in succeeding overs the home side closed quickly on victory.

Mahmudullah was caught by Tatenda Taibu off the bowling of Chris Mpofu for 11 and when Shakib was wedged by Brendan Taylor off Elton Chigumbura for six the visitors were reeling on 174 for six.

Mushfiqur also fell to Mpofu, this time wedged by Craig Ervine, for 28 without further addition to the scoreboard.

Abdur Razak and Shafiul Islam put on a disobedient half-century for the eighth wicket before the former was bowled by Chigumbura to go away the total on 224 for eight and Zimbabwe on the verge of victory.

Razzak had smashed 43 of those runs off just 17 balls, including five fours and three sixes, before his discharge saw Bangladesh's last hope disappear in the final over before lunch.

With four more runs added before the break the tourists were relying on Shafiul (seven not out) and Rubel Hossain, who was unbeaten on four.

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