The Zimbabwe National Cricket Team could not have asked for a better start under their new Test captain Richard Ngarav. Zimbabwe created history in Harare by crushing Bangladesh by an innings and 85 runs to register the biggest Test victory in their history.
It was a complete domination by Zimbabwe as the home side outplayed Bangladesh in every department with a remarkable performance in the one-off Test match in Harare on June 30. Before the shock, Bangladesh provide Litton Das injury update, return timeline revealed.
Zimbabwe humiliate Bangladesh to seal historic Test win
The Bangladesh National Cricket Team was just helpless as the Zimbabwe National Cricket Team thrashed them inside three days to record their biggest Test victory. The hosts have dominated with both bat and ball to beat the touring side by an innings and 85 runs in the one-off Test in Harare.
It was Zimbabwe’s biggest victory in Test cricket. They have now won two Test matches in a row for the first time in over 25 years. Earlier, Zimbabwe thrashed Afghanistan by an innings and 73 runs in October last year. They continued the momentum against Bangladesh also.
The last time Zimbabwe managed to win back-to-back Test matches was in April 2001. Interestingly, that achievement had also come against Bangladesh, when they completed a 2-0 series sweep. Overall, this is only the third time Zimbabwe have put together back-to-back Test wins.
Richard Ngarava creates history on captaincy debut for Zimbabwe
The historic victory became even more special as Richard Ngarava inspired Zimbabwe to one of their greatest-ever victories in the traditional format of the game in his captaincy debut.
With the memorable win over Bangladesh, Richard Ngarava became the third Zimbabwean captain to win his first Test match as captain. Before Ngarava, Stuart Carlisle and Brendon Taylor achieved the feat. Interestingly, both Taylor and Carlisle won their first Test match as Zimbabwe captain against Bangladesh back in 2011 and 2002, respectively.
On scripting the history, Ngarava said at the post-match presentation as quoted by Cricbuzz, “Well, it’s a nice feeling to be making history. This is the second in a row series, and it’s always a nice feeling, and hopefully we can continue with that.”
Newman Nyamhuri steals the show as Captain Richard Ngarava predicts big future
The Zimbabwe captain said having a larger group of players to choose from has made a big difference for the team. With more players available, Ngarava said that they can manage the bowlers’ workload better and select the best-performing batters.
He also praised Brian Bennett, who made 59 off 67 balls in the one-off Test, for his excellent batting against Bangladesh. However, the skipper was especially impressed with young gun Newman Nyamhuri, saying he is learning quickly and has a bright future in Zimbabwe cricket.
Ngarava further noted, “It was quite important. We get to pick the best batters in the country and get a better performance. Brian Bennett has been one of the best batters on our team, and everyone else had to chip in with some runs, and that makes a team. Everyone has to contribute something. And that’s why you see this W result. Newman is going to be something big in the future for Zimbabwe. I’m really proud of him, how quickly he’s learning.”
Nyamhuri scalped six wickets to help Zimbabwe restrict Bangladesh to 140 and 185 across the innings after the hosts had posted 410 runs on the board, thanks to Innocent Kaia’s remarkable knock of 140 against Bangladesh in Harare. Craig Ervine (60) and Wessly Madhevere (77) have also made significant contributions with the bat in the one-off Test at home.