Bangladesh level Test series against Zimbabwe with Mehidy being the star of the show

ASHLEY DUBE

Bangladesh 444 (Shadman 120, Mehidy 104, Masekesa 5-115) beat Zimbabwe 227 and 111 (Curran 46, Ervine 25, Mehidy 5-31) by an innings and 106 runs

CHATTOGRAM, Bangladesh – Mehidy Hasan Miraz produced a stunning all-round performance to seal an innings victory for Bangladesh on the third day of the Chattogram Test. After scoring a vital 104 to lift Bangladesh to 444, he ran through Zimbabwe’s batting line-up with figures of 5 for 31 in the second innings, bundling them out for 111.

Test series between Bangladesh and Zimbabwe ends in a draw

Trophy shared between the two sides as series ends in draw [Image: Zimbabwe Cricket]

This win ended Bangladesh’s run of six consecutive home Test defeats, which had included losses to New Zealand, Sri Lanka, South Africa, and, most recently, Zimbabwe in the first Test in Sylhet.

In Zimbabwe's reply to Bangladesh’s first-innings total, only Ben Curran offered resistance with a fighting 46. Apart from Mehidy’s five-wicket haul, Taijul Islam claimed three wickets in the second innings to finish with eight in the match.

Earlier, Mehidy had joined Shadman Islam—who scored 120—in rescuing Bangladesh from a tricky position late on the second day. He built crucial lower-order partnerships: 63 with Taijul Islam, 96 with debutant Tanzim Hasan (41), and a final stand with No. 11 Hasan Mahmud. Mehidy’s century, his second in Tests, came off 161 balls and included 11 fours and a six. He was eventually stumped off Vincent Masekesa, who stood out for Zimbabwe with a five-wicket haul on debut—becoming only the third Zimbabwean to achieve the feat.

Zimbabwe began their second innings 217 runs behind, and their collapse began swiftly. Taijul dismissed Brian Bennett and Nick Welch early, with the latter falling to a successful review. Nayeem Hasan removed Sean Williams, while Craig Ervine, dropped on 16 by Najmul Hossain Shanto, was eventually bowled by Mehidy for 25.

Mehidy then ripped through the lower order, dismissing Madhevere and Tsiga for ducks, Masakadza for 10, and finally Curran, who had fought valiantly, for his 46. Taijul added one more by removing Ngarava, and a direct hit from Mominul Haque ran out Masekesa to end the match.

Despite a rain delay in the morning, Bangladesh controlled the day. Mehidy’s brilliant century and incisive bowling capped a dominant performance that drew them level in the series.