Zimbabwe produced one of the finest performances in their Test history as they defeated Bangladesh by an innings and 85 runs in the one off Test in Harare, completing the result on the third afternoon.
It was Zimbabwe’s largest victory in the format, improving on their previous best from October 2025, when they beat Afghanistan by an innings and 73 runs at the same ground. This result also marked the first time Zimbabwe have won back to back Tests by an innings margin.
Bangladesh had already been placed under huge pressure after falling 270 runs behind in the first innings. Resuming their second innings on 40 for 1, they needed a strong response, but Zimbabwe’s fast bowlers quickly removed any hope of a comeback.
Blessing Muzarabani set the tone early in the day by dismissing Mahmudul Hasan Joy and Mominul Haque inside the opening four overs. He kept both batters uncertain with deliveries just short of a good length before tempting them with fuller balls. Joy edged to gully, while Mominul’s loose drive was brilliantly taken by Brad Evans at third slip.
Najmul Hossain Shanto and Mushfiqur Rahim briefly steadied Bangladesh with a 61 run partnership. Shanto played with intent, scoring through pulls and drives, while Mushfiqur focused on survival and absorbed several blows. Their resistance ended when Newman Nyamhuri bowled Shanto for 30 from 41 balls.
Mushfiqur, who made 34, was removed shortly before lunch when Muzarabani found a way through down the leg side. After the interval, Muzarabani struck again as Towhid Hridoy edged to third slip. He finished with 4 for 65, narrowly missing out on a five wicket haul.
Amite Hasan and Taijul Islam delayed the finish with a seventh wicket stand of 34, but Evans broke the partnership before Richard Ngarava added two quick wickets in the following over. The match ended when Hasan Mahmud mistimed a pull off Nyamhuri, with Muzarabani taking the catch running back from mid on.
Bangladesh were bowled out for 185, and once again Zimbabwe’s seamers claimed all ten wickets. Across the match, every Bangladesh wicket fell to pace, only the second such instance in Zimbabwe’s Test history after their 1993 match against Pakistan in Rawalpindi.
Innocent Kaia, whose outstanding 140 matched Bangladesh’s first innings total on his own, was deservedly named Player of the Match.
