Bangladesh vs Zimbabwe, 1st Test - Live Cricket Score, Commentary

Zimbabwe have pulled off their first Test win after March 2021. The Zimbabwe of the 90s and early 2000s were a different beast. But this unit is trying to conjure up some good performances. In the last few years, they have managed to string some good results in white ball cricket but this one would be right up there as one of the finest ever Test wins for Zimbabwe. They had an inexperienced top-order but that fired when it mattered the most. The experience of Sean Williams and the skills of Blessing Muzarabani came in handy when the chips were down and Zimbabwe have an unlikely lead of 1-0 going into the second Test. A renaissance of sorts for Zimbabwe in Tests? Or too early to put this win on a very high pedestal? They are playing lot more Tests this year and we will figure out soon. Bangladesh will have to bounce back quickly and they have a few days to do so. We will be back for the second and Final Test. Till then, ta ta and take care folks.

Bangladesh were exposed on a wicket which had something in it for the pacers. But their pacers didn't do that well in the second innings. For the visitors, Welch and Mayavo looked completely out of sorts. Mayavo looked poor behind the sticks and his dismissal in the second innings looked pretty awkward as well. In hindsight, the runs added by Ngarava and Muzarabani towards the end of the first innings would find its worth in gold. There were so many little events which were played better by the visitors. And that I think has helped them. Lastly, the 22 yards had a huge role in this thrilling game. The bowlers always had a chance on this wicket. Batters who applied themselves managed to carve a way out. And pretty much a perfect Test match wicket. The debates about the relevance of Test cricket will go on as fast paced results has been the norm ever since T20s came in. But the thrill experienced in the last hour or so is mostly unmatched and more contests like this would continue acting as a fantastic piece of advertisement for the longest format!

Zimbabwe would look back on day 1 and that is where they got the advantage. They bowled out the hosts for only 191. And then Muzarabani took matters in his own hands on day 3 and earlier today. His 6-wicket haul in the second innings meant Zimbabwe were chasing only 174. Else, they would have been set a higher target. The approach of a few of the Zimbabwean batters was so refreshing but at the same time, few looked so clueless. This year the visitors still have 8 more Tests to play and that might just be the tonic that they need. Not a lot of people turned up at Sylhet to watch this but everyone present would have had their money's worth. Each day of the Test saw something or the other happening. African safaris are famous for offering wildlife viewing experiences and this ride am sure would have been as enthralling as the safaris. Zimbabwe were hungry for the win and their hunger outdid the late surge from Mehidy. I guess Taijul couldn't bring his A game to play and that hurt Bangladesh pretty badly. He failed to keep a lid on the scoring rate and his deliveries weren't doing as much as compared to Mehidy.

17:29 Local Time, 11:29 GMT, 16:59 IST: First Test win for Craig Ervine as Zimbabwe skipper. First Test win after 4 years for the visitors. This was a nerve wracking game. The game had a topsy turvy feel to it till the very end. Madhevere and his calm saw his team through. He might have scored only 19 but all those runs came when there was a lot of pressure exerted on him and his partners. Even the sixer and the four that Masakadza hit off Taijul was so very crucial. Openers Curran and Bennett almost had killed off the chase with their aggressive batting. But then a flurry of wickets and a few bad shots didn't help the cause of the visitors. But towards the end, they held their nerves and just got over the line. There was rain around on all days. Bad light and rain brought in frequent stoppages but nothing could stop this from being a wonderful Test.

Mehidy Hasan Miraz to Madhevere, FOUR, Zimbabwe win! This has been a fantastic Test. They have taken a 1-0 lead. Amazing scenes. Madhevere brought out the reverse and paddled it fine and wide of the man at slip. Bangladesh tried hard but they have fallen short by the barest of margins

Umpire Richard Kettleborough is walking down to his mark at square leg area ever so slowly. It has gone very dark. But only four needed now.

Taijul Islam to Ngarava, no run, tossed up delivery, at the sticks, Ngarava gets a stride out and defends it down into the off-side

Taijul Islam to Madhevere, 1 run, well doled up ball, Madhevere pats the ball down to long-off for a single. 4 needed now. One ball for Ngarava to negate

Taijul Islam to Madhevere, no run, goes back, plays it on top of the bounce and tucks the ball down to FSL. That was tossed up, Madhevere was happy to camp back and play it

Taijul Islam to Madhevere, no run, very full, at the sticks, Madhevere gets a stride out and defends it

Taijul Islam to Madhevere, no run, goes back and defends it down into the off-side. Madhevere has looked rock solid

Taijul Islam to Madhevere, FOUR, tossed up delivery, well wide outside off, Madhevere sits down and slog sweeps it wide of the man at mid-on for a four, That was a good meaty strike. Only 5 needed now. The last two balls have gone the way of the visitors

Mehidy Hasan Miraz to Ngarava, FOUR, gets hold of the tossed up delivery and wallops it over mid-on. Was in his range and he swung at it to hit it flat and over the fielder. Two more shots and they would be through. But is it that easy? The conditions are getting darker with every passing second

Mehidy Hasan Miraz to Ngarava, no run, gets a stride out and defends it again as that was at the sticks

Mehidy Hasan Miraz to Ngarava, no run, flatter one, at the sticks, the batter plants his front foot and nudges the ball down to FSL

Richard Ngarava, left handed bat, comes to the crease

Mehidy Hasan Miraz to Wellington Masakadza, out Bowled!! And bowled him! That was a flatter one, Wellington Masakadza looked to defend and the ball beats the edge and hits the off-pole. Superb delivery from Mehidy Hasan Miraz. That was a peach of a delivery. Has a 10-wicket haul now. The ball spun in enough to beat the outer-edge and hit the top of off. Wellington Masakadza couldn't believe it and didn't want to walk off. But he had to trudge off. 7th one down for the visitors. It continues to get darker as well. 13 needed now. Mehidy is such a wonderful player to have. Wellington Masakadza b Mehidy Hasan Miraz 12(20) [4s-1 6s-1]

Mehidy Hasan Miraz to Wellington Masakadza, THATS OUT!! Bowled!!

Mehidy Hasan Miraz to Wellington Masakadza, no run, tossed up delivery, defends it down into the off-side

Mehidy Hasan Miraz to Wellington Masakadza, no run, looks to tuck it down, misses as the ball went off the pads and just short of silly point. There was an inside edge but fell short. Even the keeper tried to dive but happened all too quickly