Zimbabwe script history with innings win over Bangladesh in the one-off Test

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Harare Sports Club witnessed a remarkable chapter in Zimbabwean cricket history as the hosts produced a commanding all-round performance to overwhelm Bangladesh in the one-off Test. After dominating proceedings with both bat and ball, Zimbabwe completed an emphatic innings-and-85-run victory on the third day, registering the biggest win in their Test history.

The hosts first piled up an imposing 410 in their only innings after Bangladesh were dismissed for just 140, giving themselves a massive first-innings lead of 270 runs. Bangladesh’s batting woes continued in the second innings as Zimbabwe’s relentless pace attack bundled them out for 185, sealing a memorable triumph. The victory also marked the first time Zimbabwe have recorded successive Test wins by an innings margin, following their innings-and-73-run victory over Afghanistan in October 2025.

The cornerstone of Zimbabwe’s dominant performance was opener Innocent Kaia, who produced the finest innings of his Test career with a superb 140. Displaying immense patience and composure, Kaia batted Bangladesh out of the contest after the visitors had been skittled for a modest first-innings total.

His maiden Test century not only anchored Zimbabwe’s innings but also matched Bangladesh’s entire first-innings score on his own. Kaia received excellent support from Wessly Madhevere, who remained unbeaten on 77, as Zimbabwe crossed the 400-run mark to establish complete control of the match.

Although Bangladesh spinner Taijul Islam fought hard with impressive figures of 7/138, Kaia’s outstanding knock proved to be the defining innings of the contest. His remarkable effort earned him the Player of the Match award and laid the foundation for Zimbabwe’s record-breaking victory.

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Resuming the third day at 40/1, Bangladesh needed a monumental batting effort to avoid defeat, but Zimbabwe’s fast bowlers had other ideas. Blessing Muzarabani struck early to remove Mahmudul Hasan Joy and Mominul Haque, putting the visitors firmly on the back foot.

Najmul Hossain Shanto (30) and Mushfiqur Rahim (34) briefly resisted with a 61-run partnership, but Zimbabwe quickly regained control as Newman Nyamhuri and Muzarabani continued to chip away at the batting lineup. Muzarabani finished with outstanding figures of 4/65, while Richard Ngarava claimed 3/32 and Nyamhuri picked up two wickets to wrap up the innings.

The victory was made even more special by Zimbabwe’s seam attack, which accounted for all 20 Bangladesh wickets across both innings. It was only the second occasion in Zimbabwe’s Test history that fast bowlers had claimed every wicket in a match, underlining the complete dominance of the hosts. With this emphatic innings-and-85-run triumph, Zimbabwe not only recorded the biggest Test victory in their history but also continued their impressive resurgence in the longest format of the game.

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