Bangladesh vs Zimbabwe to Wrap Up 2-0 Series Win
Bangladesh continued their home dominance by thrashing Zimbabwe in the second and final Test at Chattogram, sealing the series 2-0 in style.
After a commanding performance in the first Test, the Tigers showed no mercy in the second, outplaying Zimbabwe in all departments to win by an innings and 135 runs.
The match showcased Bangladesh’s rising depth, with both experienced and younger players stepping up. Zimbabwe, on the other hand, struggled against both the bat and the ball, highlighting the challenges they face in the longer format.
Match Summary: Total Team Domination
Bangladesh’s Batting: Big Runs, Big Statements
Batting first after winning the toss, Bangladesh piled on the runs with a mammoth 521/7 declared.
Key Highlights:
- Mahmudul Hasan Joy continued his rich form, crafting a composed 153, anchoring the innings beautifully.
- Najmul Hossain Shanto counter-attacked in style with a fluent 96, narrowly missing out on a hundred.
- Contributions from Mushfiqur Rahim (74) and Mehidy Hasan Miraz (unbeaten 63) gave Bangladesh a commanding total.
The Tigers showed a perfect blend of caution and aggression, ensuring they didn’t let Zimbabwe’s bowlers settle at any point.
Zimbabwe’s Bowling: Struggling for Control
Zimbabwe’s bowlers toiled hard but were largely ineffective.
- Blessing Muzarabani tried to create some pressure with his pace, but lacked consistent support.
- Spinners struggled to extract help from the pitch, allowing Bangladesh’s batters to rotate the strike freely and dominate proceedings.
Without early wickets, Zimbabwe looked lost, allowing Bangladesh to build partnerships easily — a cardinal sin in Test cricket.
Bangladesh’s Bowlers Tear Through Zimbabwe
After a towering batting display, Bangladesh’s bowlers came out fired up and relentless.
They bundled Zimbabwe out for 174 in the first innings and then for just 212 following on.
First Innings Carnage
- Shoriful Islam was the star of the show, using the new ball to devastating effect with figures of 5 for 37.
- Taijul Islam and Mehidy Hasan Miraz squeezed Zimbabwe further, exploiting any slight assistance from the surface.
Zimbabwe had no answers to the pace and guile thrown at them. The top order folded quickly, and the middle order offered little resistance.
Zimbabwe’s Second Innings: More Fight, Same Result
Following on, Zimbabwe showed a little more resistance thanks to a fighting 71 from Milton Shumba, but the writing was already on the wall.
- Bangladesh’s bowlers stuck to their plans — patient, probing lines that demanded mistakes.
- Nayeem Hasan chipped in with wickets, while Shoriful and Taijul kept up the relentless pressure.
Eventually, Zimbabwe were bowled out for 212, handing Bangladesh a massive innings-and-135-run win.
Key Performers of the Match
Mahmudul Hasan Joy – The New Wall of Bangladesh
Mahmudul’s 153 wasn’t just a big score — it was a statement.
Patient against the new ball, punishing against the old, he built a platform that allowed the middle order to play freely.
Shoriful Islam – Fast, Furious, and Lethal
Shoriful’s five-wicket haul was a reminder that Bangladesh’s fast-bowling stocks are in excellent health. His ability to swing the ball at pace made him unplayable on day two.
Mehidy Hasan Miraz – The All-Round Rock
Batting lower down and making a vital unbeaten 63, then chipping in with wickets when needed — Mehidy showcased why he’s one of Bangladesh’s most valuable assets.
Zimbabwe’s Woes: A Deeper Problem?
It wasn’t just that Zimbabwe lost — it’s how comprehensively they were outclassed that raised eyebrows.
- Their batting lacked application.
- Their bowling lacked bite.
- Their fielding, though enthusiastic, couldn’t change the game’s momentum.
Clearly, rebuilding their Test side will require more patience, talent development, and exposure against stronger teams.
Bangladesh’s Growing Test Might
While critics often talk about Bangladesh’s limited-overs strength, this series reinforced their growing maturity in the Test arena.
Winning consistently at home, building depth in both spin and pace, and finding batting heroes beyond the “usual suspects” — this team is becoming a real force.
The real test will be replicating this form abroad. But for now, Bangladesh fans have every reason to dream big.
Captains’ Reactions
Najmul Hossain Shanto (Bangladesh Captain)
“We wanted to dominate from ball one and the boys executed the plans perfectly. Very proud of how everyone contributed — from openers to bowlers.”
Sean Williams (Zimbabwe Captain)
“Tough series for us. Credit to Bangladesh, they played brilliant cricket. We need to look hard at our processes and find ways to compete better at this level.”
What’s Next for Both Teams?
Bangladesh Eye Bigger Challenges
With confidence sky-high, Bangladesh will be targeting bigger opponents next. Tours of tougher countries like South Africa and England are on the horizon, and Bangladesh will want to carry this momentum forward.
Zimbabwe Look to Rebuild
For Zimbabwe, it’s time to go back to the drawing board.
- More ‘A’ tours
- Better domestic structure
- Consistent exposure against stronger teams
Without serious investment and patience, results at Test level will remain elusive.
Bangladesh on the Rise, Zimbabwe Searching for Answers
This wasn’t just a win for Bangladesh; it was a statement of how far they’ve come as a Test nation.
Confident, ruthless, and hungry — three traits that every successful Test side must have.
Zimbabwe, meanwhile, have some soul-searching to do if they are to re-establish themselves in the world’s toughest format.