Bangladesh endured a dramatic batting collapse, being bowled out for a meager 140 in their first innings against Zimbabwe on the opening day of the one-off Test at Harare Sports Club. After a promising start, the team faltered spectacularly, losing their last seven wickets for just 27 runs.
Early Setback and Brief Recovery
Bangladesh began the match with opener Mahmudul Hasan Joy being trapped leg-before by Newman Nyamhuri for just 2 runs. Brad Evans then removed Shadman Islam, reducing Bangladesh to 36-2. However, a 77-run partnership between Mominul Haque and Captain Najmul Hossain Shanto appeared to steady the innings.
Mominul's Resistance
Mominul Haque stood as the lone bright spot, scoring a serene 60 with 12 boundaries. His innings marked his sixth score of fifty or more in his last eight Test innings. Shanto contributed 19 before Mominul's dismissal, caught by Craig Ervine off Nyamhuri, which triggered a sensational collapse.
Catastrophic Collapse
Following Mominul's dismissal at 113-3, Bangladesh lost their remaining seven wickets for a mere 27 runs. Only opener Shadman Islam (20) and Mominul reached double figures. The inexperienced middle order was exposed, with debutants Towhid Hridoy and Amite Hasan managing just 3 and 4 runs respectively.
Zimbabwe's Dominant Bowling
Left-arm pacer Newman Nyamhuri was the star of Zimbabwe's attack, claiming career-best figures of 4-61. Captain Richard Ngarava, Brad Evans, and Blessing Muzarabani provided excellent support, each claiming two wickets as Bangladesh's batting lineup crumbled.
