Ispahani One Off Test Series 
Bangladesh VS Zimbabwe, Played At Harare Cricket Stadium, Zimbabwe (July 7-11 ,2021) 
Brief Scorecard
Bangladesh 1st Innings 468 All Out (Mahmudullah Riad 150*, Liton K Das 95, Taskin Ahmed 75, Mominul Haq 70, Extras 39, Blessing Muzarabani 4/94, Donald Tiripano 2/58, Victor Nayuchi 2/92) 

Bangladesh 2nd Innings 284/1 (In 67.4 Overs) Declared  (Nazmul Hasan Shanto 117*, Shadman Islam 115*, Saif Hasan 43) 

Zimbabwe 1st Innings 276 All Out  (Takudzwanasha Kaitano 87, Brendan Taylor 81, Milton Sumba 41, Regis Chakava 31*, Mehidy Miraj 5/82, Shakib Al Hasan 4/82)

Zimbabwe 2nd Innings 256 All Out in 94.4 Overs (Brendon Taylor 92, Donald Tirpano 52,Blessing Muzarabani 30* Taskin Ahmed 1/39, Mehidy Miraj 4/66, Taskin Ahmed 4/82, Shakib Al Hasan 1/44) 
Bangladesh Won by 220 Runs 
Player Of The Match: Mahmudullah Riad
Winning the one off test by 220 runs Bangladesh won its first away series against Zimbabwe on Super Sunday when several exceptional events across the sporting events were held. Incidentally COPA 2021, EUROPA 2020 and Finals of Wimbledon Tennis Tournament were also held on the same day.  Amidst all these Mahmudullah Riad affectionately called “ Silent Killer “ in Bangladesh Cricket silently called it a day. Incidentally he crowned the occasion with his career best match winning innings of unbeaten 150 having sent to bat at number eight when the first innings of his team was in ruins at 132/6. Mahmudullah was tagged as test discard and was included in the team as cover of not match fit Tamim Iqbal and Mushfiqur Rahim.  It was highly unlikely that he would have played if Tamim did not withdraw at the last minute. Needless mentioning that Mahmudullah is a class act and in the present state of Bangladesh in test cricket it was unbelievable that he could be discarded from test at all. 
Bangladesh ranks above Zimbabwe and full strength Bangladesh team with the return of ace all rounder Shakib Al Hasan was tagged favorite in any case. Moreover, just before the test two mainstays of Zimbabwe batting captain Sean Williams and top batsman Shan Irvine had to withdraw for Corona infection in their families. 
Bangladesh in the absence of Tamim appeared with 9 batsmen and two pace bowlers. Winning the toss and electing to bat in bowler friendly cloudy, cool condition on a green top wicket Bangladesh ran into deep crisis. The innings was tottering at 132/6 by mid noon when Riad came to bat with wicket keeper batsman Liton K Das. From then on it was a fairy tale of Bangladesh batting. Liton and Riad batting with backs to the wall brilliantly turned around producing 136 priceless runs for the 7th wicket. Liton contributed 95. Bangladesh lost Liton and Miraj back to back and was again looking down the barrel at 268 /8 when tail ender Taskin joined Riad.  How wonderfully Riad shepherded Taskin for match defining milestone setting 9th wicket partnership of 191. Taskin got out after scoring his career best 75. Silent Killer silently posted his career best unbeaten 150. Bangladesh went on scoring huge 468 all out. 362 runs were scored in the last 4 wickets after Riad started his salvation act. 
Zimbabwe was moving merrily till reaching 225/2 . Captain Brendon Taylor was looking good at 81. When the goings looked safe the home team batsmen were engaged in suicidal sweep shots against accurate Mehidy Miraj  (5/82) and crafty Shakib Al Hasan (4/82). The promising innings of the home team collapsed from 225/2 to 276 all out conceding a first innings lead of 192. 
Bangladesh top order batting superbly in the second innings in a run feast scored 284/1 in the second innings. Shanto scored a quick fire unbeaten 117 in 118 deliveries. Shadman Islam remained not out scoring 115. Bangladesh declared setting an unassailable Mount Everest of 477 runs target for the home team. 
In the meantime words got around that Riad decided to retire from test cricket. His mates gave him guard of honor before play started on day five with home team batting at 140/3. Bangladesh dropping few catches helped in prolonging the innings though Miraj and Taskin bowled consistently well on still not too responsive wicket. Home team could go as far as 256 all out losing by huge margin of 220 runs. Mehidy again appeared with rich haul of 4/66, Taskin took 4/82. 
It was a fitting farewell for the Silent Killer Mahmudullah Riad .His admirers would say his surprising decision might be his response to utter disrespect shown to him not only ignoring him from Red Ball cricket for 18 months but also ignoring him from the central contract for test cricket. Bangladesh in any case wont be playing test cricket in near future. Riad leads T20 team and still considered an integral part of ODI team. 

BDST: 0010 HRS, JUL 12, 2021
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