Sports Correspondent
Zimbabwe produced one of the finest performances in their Test history, crushing Bangladesh national cricket team by an innings and 85 runs in the one-off Test at Harare Sports Club to register their biggest-ever victory in the longest format.
The hosts wrapped up the match on the third day after dismissing Bangladesh for 185 in their second innings, having earlier bowled them out for just 140 before posting a commanding 410 in reply to take a first-innings lead of 270.
The victory also marked Zimbabwe’s second successive innings victory in Test cricket, following their innings-and-73-run win over Afghanistan national cricket team in October 2025.
Kaia stars with maiden Test century
Opener Innocent Kaia was the architect of Zimbabwe’s historic triumph, producing a magnificent 140 to record his maiden Test century.
Kaia’s composed innings anchored Zimbabwe’s total and remarkably matched Bangladesh’s entire first-innings score. He shared a crucial partnership with Wessly Madhevere, who remained unbeaten on 77, helping the hosts surpass the 400-run mark.
Despite an outstanding bowling effort from Bangladesh spinner Taijul Islam, who claimed 7/138, Kaia’s innings proved decisive. He was deservedly named Player of the Match.
Pace attack seals emphatic victory
Resuming on 40/1 on the third morning, Bangladesh required a huge batting effort to force Zimbabwe to bat again. However, Zimbabwe’s pace attack ensured there would be no comeback.
Blessing Muzarabani struck early to dismiss Mahmudul Hasan Joy and Mominul Haque, leaving the visitors under immediate pressure.
Captain Najmul Hossain Shanto (30) and veteran Mushfiqur Rahim (34) briefly resisted with a 61-run partnership before Zimbabwe regained control.
Muzarabani finished with impressive figures of 4/65, while Richard Ngarava claimed 3/32 and Newman Nyamhuri picked up two wickets to complete the demolition.
Zimbabwe’s seamers claimed all 20 Bangladesh wickets across both innings, only the second time in the country’s Test history that pace bowlers have taken every wicket in a match.
The comprehensive victory underlined Zimbabwe’s growing confidence in Test cricket and secured the largest winning margin in the nation’s history, highlighting the team’s resurgence in the game’s longest format.
