PERFORMER OF THE DAY: Shipshape Sikander
Off-spinner Sikandar Raza claimed three crucial wickets as Zimbabwe beat Bangladesh by 151 runs in the first Test at the Sylhet International Stadium yesterday.
Raza took the wickets of both the Bangladeshi openers and that of captain Mahmudullah Riyad. He ended with tidy figures of 3 wickets for 41 runs off 17 overs with 1 maiden.
The 32-year-old Zimbabwean trapped Liton Das leg-before-wicket to give his team the opening breakthrough when the score was 56. His next victim was Imrul Kayes who was clean bowled for 43 to leave Bangladesh at 83 for 3.
Skipper Mahmudullah who promoted himself to number four but could not rescue his side as he perished for 16, giving a catch to substitute fielder Craig Ervine at short leg off Raza.
Raza then took a spectacular catch at cover on the stroke of lunch to hand debutant Mavuta his maiden Test wicket and send back Nazmul Hossain which put Zimbabwe only five wickets away from their first win in five years since defeating Pakistan at home in 2013.
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