Mahmudullah shines in Test swansong as Taskin, Miraz hand Bangladesh big win in Harare
In his farewell Test, Mahmudullah was named Player of the Match as Zimbabwe lost by 220 runs
In his farewell Test, Mahmudullah was named Player of the Match as Zimbabwe lost by 220 runs
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Scorer: @Thilak_Rama | Commentator: @himanshu_a30
It was a fantastic one-off Test, leaving us desired for more. But the limited-overs leg of the tour starts with the first ODI five days later. And in case you can't wait for cricket for that long, don't forget to hop on to the action between Ireland and South Africa in Malahide at the moment. Until more on this tour, it's a goodbye from Thilak, Sreshth and me, Himanshu!
Mahmudullah cracked 150* to help his side avoid a slip and announced a shock retirement from Tests a few days later; Shanto and Shadman slammed centuries in the second innings; and Taskin, Mehidy and Shakib shone with the ball after Taskin also contributed with the bat. But Zimbabwe aren't without their own share of positives. Sans Williams and Ervine, their batting did some fighting to keep Bangladesh in check, led well by Taylor and debutant Kaitano, who showed shades of Cheteshwar Pujara across both innings.
Alan: "Such a shame this is a one-off test. This match would have been the perfect start to a series. "
Mominul now lifts the match series trophy as he waits for his team-mates to join. The side gathers together and pose for the cameramen with a V sign.
Mominul Haque, the winning captain has this to say: "[Overseas win] Whether home or away, a win is always a proud thing for me. When juniors contribute, it really looks good. When we were in trouble, partnership between Riyad bhai and Taskin was crucial. [On Mehidy] It was a flat wicket, so it's difficult to get wickets. It was a special performance for his nine wickets. Even Shakib and Taskin got four wickets, and it was a team effort."
Mahmudullah, in his last Test, is the Player of the Match for his 150* in a rescue act: "[I] always like to be a team man. Fortunately, we have won this game and really happy to see the smiles on our team's faces. Liton batted really well. It was pleasing to see his batting. Me and Taskin were having good fun at the crease, though he was at times a bit inpatient! We need to handle the pressure of the crunch moments, and I just tried to stick to my basics and score when the chance came."
Brendan Taylor, who led Zimbabwe's batting efforts in both innings, will speak first: "You've got to seize those important moments, and we didn't do that. I got out at the wrong times, left some runs out there. Credit to Kaitano, on debut. It was down to being in good positions and throwing that away."
Time for the post-match presentations
Nabil: "I think it was a bowling effort the BD bowlers can be extremely proud of. To force a result in this flat day 5 pitch that offered almost nothing to them even after dropping abt 4 catches. Kudos! "
Joe: "Watching from the UK I've been impressed by Zim's efforts in this game. We've love to see this team touring here again - it's been too long!"
Here's Sampath with more: Mehidy's 9 for 148 is the best Test match figures for a Bangladesh bowler away from home.
2.24pm A comfortable win by 220 runs for Bangladesh. Huge credit to Zimbabwe for continuing to fight even with their tail after Bangladesh seemed all set to wrap this up rather quickly on the final day. The visitors made a comeback in the game each time they looked down with the bat in the first innings - they were 132 for 6 before posting 468 - and even fashioned a Zimbabwe collapse of 8 for 51 with the ball.
R Ngarava b Mehidy Hasan Miraz 10 (31m 27b 2x4 0x6) SR: 37.03
Man at catching cover now
Tareq: "@Ashish The pitch doesn't look like a 5th day pitch, I don't see any purchase out of the surface. It's due to the tight line and length of the bowlers and miserable first innings batting from Zimbabwe that's forcing a result here."
Back to spin, as Mehidy returns from over the wicket with a slip, short leg and leg slip
He bowled 23 wicketless overs of offspin during the one-off Test against Bangladesh in Harare
Shadman's maiden Test century in Bangladesh's second innings helped them get into a winning position against Zimbabwe in Harare
"After looking at the pitch, I expected it to turn on the fourth or fifth day, which is why I decided to bat first"
The only sign that a career had ended was a guard of honour at the start of play
In his farewell Test, Mahmudullah was named Player of the Match as Zimbabwe lost by 220 runs