Zimbabwe pulled off one of their finest ODI victories in recent years, defending a modest total of 141 to defeat Bangladesh by 25 runs in Harare. Newman Nyamhuri and stand-in captain Richard Ngarava produced outstanding all-round performances as Zimbabwe overcame Nahid Rana’s six-wicket haul to take a memorable victory.
Nyamhuri and Ngarava Rescue Zimbabwe
After being asked to bat first, Zimbabwe looked destined for a disappointing total despite a steady opening partnership between Brian Bennett and Ben Curran, who added 36 runs.
The innings quickly collapsed as Bangladesh’s fast bowlers dominated. Taskin Ahmed removed Bennett for 17 before dismissing Craig Ervine for a duck, while Nahid Rana tore through the middle order with his pace and bounce.
Rana claimed career-best figures of 6/21, removing Sikandar Raza, Wessly Madhevere, Clive Madande, Innocent Kaia and Luke Evans as Zimbabwe slumped to 70/8.
Just when Bangladesh appeared set to bowl the hosts out for under 100, Newman Nyamhuri and Richard Ngarava transformed the innings with a crucial 63-run partnership for the ninth wicket.
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Batting at No. 9, Nyamhuri struck a career-best 33, while Ngarava contributed a valuable 27 before Rana completed his six-wicket haul. Their partnership lifted Zimbabwe to a competitive 141 all out.
Bangladesh Collapse Under Pace Attack
Bangladesh’s chase never settled after an aggressive Zimbabwe bowling display.
Blessing Muzarabani struck in the second over when Tanzid Hasan pulled straight to Newman Nyamhuri at fine leg, who completed an outstanding boundary catch. Muzarabani then dismissed Najmul Hossain Shanto before Richard Ngarava removed Soumya Sarkar, reducing Bangladesh to 17/3.
Towhid Hridoy and Nurul Hasan rebuilt with a 49-run partnership, gradually stabilising the innings. Hridoy scored 25 before flashing at a wide delivery from Nyamhuri and was caught at deep third, triggering another collapse.
From 66/3, Bangladesh lost seven wickets for just 50 runs.
Mehidy Hasan Miraz fell after Brian Bennett produced an excellent low catch, while Luke Evans dismissed Nurul Hasan for a fighting 31 before removing Rishad Hossain and Taskin Ahmed.
Ngarava fittingly wrapped up the victory by taking the final wicket to finish with impressive figures of 3/31.
Zimbabwe Pace Attack Delivers
Zimbabwe relied exclusively on their seamers throughout the defence on a lively Harare surface, with no spin required during Bangladesh’s innings.
Richard Ngarava led from the front with 3/31, while Luke Evans claimed 3/34. Newman Nyamhuri completed an outstanding all-round performance by taking 2/22 after earlier top-scoring for Zimbabwe, and Blessing Muzarabani also picked up two wickets.
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Their disciplined pace attack bowled Bangladesh out for just 116 in 33.1 overs to complete a memorable victory.
Rana’s Record Spell Ends in Defeat
Despite Bangladesh’s loss, Nahid Rana produced one of the finest ODI bowling performances by a Bangladesh fast bowler.
His outstanding figures of 6/21 are the best by a Bangladesh bowler in ODI cricket and included his third five-wicket haul in the format this year. However, Bangladesh’s batting failed to capitalise, with repeated poor shot selection and an inability to build partnerships ultimately costing the visitors.
Zimbabwe’s resilience with both bat and ball proved decisive as they successfully defended the lowest total of the match to secure a famous 25-run victory in Harare.
