One-off Test Series 
Bangladesh VS Zimbabwe Played at Harare (July 7-11, 2021) 
Brief Scorecard at Sumps Day One 
Bangladesh 294/8 (Liton K Das 95, Mominul Haq 70, Mahmudullah Riad 54*, Blessing Muzarabani 3/ 48, Donald Tiripano 2/36, Victor Nyauchi 2/ 69) 

Bangladesh opting to bat on a green top pacey wicket under cloud cover managed to get out of disastrous situation of 132/6 riding on excellent 138 runs 7th wicket partnership between Liton (95) and Mahmudullah (54*).

Whether or not appearing with only 2 pacers and two spinning all-rounder's is a correct decision would need to be seen. But it has already been proved that on a green top pacey wicket under cloud cover opting to bat was a great risk taken. 

The fact than Bangladesh lacks resources for test cricket was evidenced from their action of taking match unfit Tamim Iqbal and Mushfiqur Rahim to Zimbabwe. Tamim could not play and Rahim struggled throughout the brief period he stayed at the wicket. Bangladesh appeared with as many as 8 batsmen. Yet against a not too strong bowling attack they were looking miserable at 132/6. Thanks to brilliant batting of Liton and Mahmudullah the situation was salvaged. The pair put on 136 possibly match defining innings to steer the team out of woods.

In absence of Tamim, the innings was opened by Saif Hasan and Sadman. Zimbabwe pacers Muzarabani and Ngarava teased and tormented Bangladesh top order bowling at tight corridor. Saif was blown away in the very first over and Nazmul Santo in the 5th. Bangladesh was looking down the barrel at 8/2. Captain Mominul played some glorious strokes off his legs flicking to the fence as Shadman battled his way through. Before lunch Ngarava priced out Shadman (23) making it 70/3. Mushfique looked uneasy for the brief period he was at the wicket. He shouldered arm to a ball coming into him that struck his back leg. Wonder why DRS was not taken. Shakib came and went poking novice to a ball pitched at off corridor. Within no time after lunch Bangladesh was struggling at 5 /109. Nominal after scoring 50 was living a charmed life. He was ultimately consumed scoring 70 off the bowling of Nyachi. Bangladesh was looking terrible at 132/6. Luckily for them two genuine batsmen Liton and Mahmudullah braved the situation producing a superb partnership of 136 before Liton got out scoring a delightful 9. Mahmudullah remained not out on 54 and with him was Taskin at 13. Bangladesh ended the day at much comfortable 294/8.

Zimbabwe is not among teams considered for World Test Championship. Of Bangladesh struggles the way they did today against such a team then how they can think of competing against other stronger teams?  Zimbabwe pacers bowled well in some spells but they never looked unplayable. Bangladesh batting appeared novice against moving balls on slightly pace friendly conditions.

BDST: 1130 HRS, JUL 08, 2021
SMS