United News of Bangladesh

Bangladesh beat  Zimbabwe by an innings and 106 runs in the second Test in Chattogram, drawing the two-match series 1–1. After bowling out Zimbabwe for 227 in the first innings, Bangladesh responded with a massive 444. Mehidy Hasan Miraz starred with a brilliant all-round performance—scoring 104 with the bat and taking 5 wickets for 32 runs in the second innings. Shadman Islam laid the foundation for Bangladesh with a patient 120. He was supported by Anamul Haque (39), Mominul Haque (33), and Mushfiqur Rahim (40).  But it was Miraz’s century and his 96-run ninth-wicket stand with debutant Tanzim Hasan (41) that pushed Bangladesh to a commanding total. Left-arm spinner Vincent Masekesa impressed for Zimbabwe with 5 wickets, but his effort wasn't enough to stop the hosts from taking a 217-run lead. Mehidy century anchors Bangladesh’s first innings in Chattogram Zimbabwe's second innings was no better. They crumbled to just 111 runs in 46.2 overs. Only Ben Curran showed some fight with a gritty 46. Miraz ran through the middle order, picking up 5 wickets, while Taijul Islam added 3 more to his tally. Zimbabwe had won the toss and opted to bat on day one but were undone by Bangladesh’s spin attack. Taijul Islam took 6 wickets in the first innings, and Nayeem Hasan chipped in with two. It was Bangladesh’s first win at home since 2023.

Mehidy Hasan Miraz’s 10-wicket haul in the match went in vain as Zimbabwe beat Bangladesh by three wickets on Wednesday in the Sylhet Test, riding on the bowling and batting brilliance of Blessing Muzarabani and Brian Bennett.  Set a target of 174 runs, Zimbabwe reached the mark during the third session of day four. Opener Brian Bennett anchored the chase superbly, scoring his second half-century of the match. He shared a crucial 95-run opening stand with Ben Curran, providing a solid platform for the visitors. However, the chase wasn't straightforward. Bangladesh spinner Mehidy Hasan Miraz, who completed his second five-wicket haul of the match, triggered a collapse by dismissing Curran and claiming four more wickets rapidly. Taijul Islam added two more, creating big pressure and sending tremors through the Zimbabwe camp. Sylhet Test: Muzarabani takes six, Zimbabwe need 174 to win Despite the wobble, Wessly Madhevere (19*), supported by Wellington Masakadza (12) and Richard Ngarava (4*), showed admirable composure to guide their team home. Zimbabwe owed much of their position to Blessing Muzarabani. The fast bowler was exceptional throughout, finishing with match figures of 9/122. His second-innings haul of 6/72 was instrumental in bowling Bangladesh out for 255, despite fifties from captain Najmul Hossain Shanto (60) and Jaker Ali (58). Failures from other key batters and an inability by Bangladesh's pacers to exploit the helpful Sylhet conditions meant the hosts couldn't set a more daunting target. With Zimbabwe taking the lead in the series, both teams will now travel to Chattogram to play the second Test, starting from April 28. 

Skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto held firm with an unbeaten half-century as Bangladesh crossed the 100-run lead mark against Zimbabwe before poor light brought an early close to the third day of the opening Test. Bangladesh ended the rain-affected day on 194 for 4, with Najmul on 60 and Jaker Ali unbeaten on 21. Only 44 overs were bowled after the morning session was lost to persistent showers, further limiting play in an already tightly contested Test. Resuming from their overnight position, Bangladesh consolidated through a 60-run second-wicket stand between Mahmudul Hasan Joy and Mominul Haque. Sylhet Test: Mominul, Shanto lead Bangladesh after washout session, secure lead Joy, who made 33, was dismissed by the ever-reliable Blessing Muzarabani, who continued his strong outing with three more wickets in the second innings after taking as many in the first. Mominul narrowly missed a half-century, falling for 47 after adding 65 runs for the third wicket with his captain. Najmul then steadied the innings and helped Bangladesh push past Zimbabwe’s first-innings advantage of 82 runs. Mushfiqur Rahim’s struggles with the bat persisted, as he again fell for 4. He also made the same score in the first innings.  Earlier, Mehidy Hasan Miraz’s five-wicket haul had helped Bangladesh claw back into the contest after Zimbabwe posted 273, gaining a slender lead over the home side’s 191 in the first innings.

Bangladesh were bowled out for 191 on the opening day of the first Test against Zimbabwe on Sunday, with Mominul Haque being the best batter for the hosts, scoring 56.  In response to Bangladesh’s small total, Zimbabwe posted 67 for none at the end of day one.  After deciding to bat first, Bangladesh lost their openers early with only 32 runs on the board.  Six of the top seven batters reached double figures, but only Mominul Haque stood firm, scoring 56 before falling to a mistimed slog sweep. Bangladesh slide early as Zimbabwe bowlers dominate in first Test in Sylhet Zimbabwe’s bowlers capitalised on a pitch offering bounce and carry. Victor Nyauchi set the tone with two early wickets, removing both openers — Shadman Islam and Mahmudul Hasan Joy — in quick succession. Blessing Muzarabani maintained relentless pressure, dismissing captain Najmul Hossain Shanto with a sharp bouncer before returning later to clean up the tail, finishing with 3 for 50. Wellington Masakadza proved pivotal in the middle overs, claiming three wickets including the key scalps of Mushfiqur Rahim and Mominul. Off-spinner Wessly Madhevere bagged two wickets.  In response, Zimbabwe ended day one at 67 without any wickets. They are trailing by 124 runs at the end of day one.  Brian Bennett and Ben Curran remained not out for 40 and 17 respectively.  Bangladesh fielded three pacers— Nahid Rana, Hasan Mahmud and Khaled Ahmed— in this match. But they failed to ensure an early advantage on day one.

Bangladesh won the toss and opted to bat first against Zimbabwe in the Sylhet Test on Sunday. Before this Test, Bangladesh faced Zimbabwe in 18 matches and won eight of those. Four of Bangladesh's eight wins against Zimbabwe came in their last five clashes. The hosts fiddled a five-bowler attack with two spinners and three pace bowlers. In the first Test of the year, both teams aimed to have a good start. Bangladesh to take on Zimbabwe in Sylhet Test Sunday  Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto said they are looking forward to having a consistent batting at the top-order, while Zimbabwe captain Craig Ervine said they are aiming to Bangladesh playing XI: Mahmudul Hasan Joy, Shadman Islam, Najmul Hossain Shanto (captain) Mominul Haque, Mushfiqur Rahim, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Jaker Ali (wicketkeeper), Taijul Islam, Hasan Mahmud, Khaled Ahmed, Nahid Rana Zimbabwe playing XI: Ben Curran, Brian Bennett, Nicholas Welch, Sean Williams, Craig Ervine (captain), Wessly Madhevere, Nyasha Mayavo (wk), Wellington Masakadza, Richard Ngarava, Blessing Muzarabani, Victor Nyauchi. 

Cricket fans in Sylhet can begin purchasing tickets for the first Test between Bangladesh and Zimbabwe, scheduled to be held at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium (SICS), starting on Saturday. Both the teams have already started their preparation camps in Sylhet. Ticket sales will officially open at the stadium counter from 9AM on Saturday, 19 April, while another sales point will open at Modhumoti Bank PLC’s Ambarkhana Branch from 10AM on Sunday, 20 April. Fans can grab the tickets at different price points starting at BDT 50 for the Green Hill Area, Eastern Gallery (Gate-3), and Shaheed Turab Stand (West Gallery). Four women athletes to join CA Yunus on state visit to Qatar Tickets for the Shaheed Abu Sayeed Stand are priced at BDT 100, while the Eastern Gallery (Gate-2) tickets cost BDT 150. The Club House seats are available for BDT 250, and the Grand Stand tickets are priced at BDT 500. While the first match of the series is in Sylhet, the second and final match of the series will be played in Chattogram.

After whitewashing Zimbabwe 3-0 in the ODI series, the Tigers are set to start their two-match T20 series against the visitors on Monday at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur with an eye on the best combination for the ensuing T20 World Cup.