By Sports Correspondent
Sylhet, Bangladesh — Zimbabwe’s national cricket team, the Chevrons, delivered a heart-stopping performance to defeat Bangladesh by three wickets on the fourth day of the first Test in Sylhet, taking a 1-0 lead in the two-match series with their highest-ever successful fourth-innings chase.
This victory marked just Zimbabwe’s fourth Test win on foreign soil — and, fittingly, came at the same venue where they last triumphed overseas in 2018.
The Chevrons once again turned Sylhet into a fortress of belief and resilience.
The architect of the win was fast bowler Blessing Muzarabani, who bagged a sensational nine wickets in the match.
But the final act belonged to the cool-headed lower order Wessly Madhevere and Richard Ngarava, who steered the Chevrons through a tense final phase after a dramatic batting collapse.
Chasing a challenging target, Zimbabwe’s openers Brian Bennett and Ben Curran launched a fearless start, racing to a 95-run stand in just 21 overs.
Curran stroked seven crisp boundaries in his 44 off 75 balls before falling to Mehidy Hasan Miraz.
The innings wobbled as wickets tumbled in clusters.
Nick Welch was trapped lbw by Taijul Islam, while Sean Williams miscued a soft catch off Mehidy.
The momentum shifted when Bennett, well set on 54 with seven fours and a six, took a risk against the spin and was caught in the deep.
From 127 for 2, Zimbabwe suddenly crumbled to 145 for 6. Craig Ervine edged behind off Taijul, and Nyasha Mayavo was bowled first ball by Mehidy.
Wellington Masakadza briefly revived hope with a couple of boundaries but fell to a Mehidy delivery that turned away just enough to crash into off stump.
With just under 50 runs needed and only a few wickets in hand, it was backs-to-the-wall stuff.
Enter Madhevere and Ngarava. Calm under pressure, the pair picked their moments.
Ngarava hammered a crucial boundary over wide mid-on off Mehidy, while Madhevere struck Taijul and then Mehidy for boundaries that brought Zimbabwe within touching distance.
Madhevere fittingly sealed the win with another crisp four, a shot that didn’t just clinch a Test, but a place in Zimbabwean cricket folklore.
For the Chevrons, it was more than a win.
It was a declaration of belief, of heart, and of a team that refuses to be counted out.
