BAN v ZIM 2018: Zimbabwe writes history with a thumping 151-run victory in Sylhet Test

Zimbabwe completed their first away Test win since 2001 and has taken a 1-0 lead in the two-match series.

Lifted by his teammates, Sean Williams played a vital knock of 88 in the first innings to lay the foundation for Zimbabwe's win | AFP

Zimbabwe completed their maiden away Test win in 17 years and clinched a historic and sweat victory at Sylhet in the first game of the two-match Test series against Bangladesh. 

The world of Test Cricket is tough but admirably rewarding and kind too. Beating Bangladesh in Bangladesh is one of the toughest sporting challenges these days and this is why, winning through a great all-round team effort and amassing first red-ball win since 2013, should mean so much to the Hamilton Masakadza led side and so too the whole of Zimbabwean fraternity. 

This win also becomes only their fourth since making a return from the self-inflicted sabbatical from Tests between October 2005 till July 2011, but the fact that Zimbabwe has only played 23 Tests in the last 7 years, tells us a lot about their financial and administrative struggles, as well as puts light on how cricket governance is leaving a lot to be desired these days

"This is going to be a splendid result for Zimbabwe whose cricketers are to be greatly admired for giving off their best amidst so many issues around them. Beating Bangladesh in away conditions is not easy at all," famous commentator and the voice of Indian Cricket, Harsha Bhogle, aptly puts it. 

Speaking afterwards, Masakadza was quoted saying in delight, "I'm ecstatic. I thought the guys went out and worked really hard to apply themselves. Especially in the first innings, the lead we got in the first innings was really crucial. I'm proud of the boys. The batters applied themselves well, especially in the first innings."

"Our boys got more spin off the wicket and it's not often you say that in Bangladesh and that is a big plus for us," he added. 

Having been awarded man of the match honour for his absolutely vital knock of 88 in the first innings, veteran left-hand batsman Sean Williams expressed, "I'm actually ecstatic, didn't really expect to get the Man of the Match at the beginning of this game. Gonna enjoy this in the change room afterwards," reiterating, "It was really difficult. It took me a long time to get in on this wicket and going back to the One-Dayers, I realized that was the case. So, I brought it forward to the Test matches and luckily, it worked out for me."

Disappointed with the result, losing Bangladesh skipper Mahmudullah felt, "We didn't do well with the bat. We lost the toss and didn't do well in the first innings. I think the wicket was good, but we didn't apply ourselves with the bat. We were not disciplined enough to restrict our strokes," but affirmed, "We didn't read the pitch well and that shouldn't happen. We will try and comeback strong in the next game."

(Inputs from Cricbuzz)

 
 

By Kashish Chadha - 06 Nov, 2018

    Share Via