138/10 (19.0)
CR : 7.26
170/6 (20.0)
CR : 8.50
Zimbabwe won by 32 runs 🏆
Player of the Match
Richard Ngarava
4/26
Best Bowling Figures for Zimbabwe vs Bangladesh in T20Is
4/17 – Blessing Muzarabani, Bulawayo, 2026, Today*
4/26 – Richard Ngarava, Bulawayo, 2026, Today*
4/34 – Neville Madziva, Khulna, 2016
4/17 – Blessing Muzarabani, Bulawayo, 2026, Today*
4/26 – Richard Ngarava, Bulawayo, 2026, Today*
4/34 – Neville Madziva, Khulna, 2016
Best Bowling Figures for Zimbabwe in T20Is
5/18 – Sikandar Raza vs Rwanda, Nairobi (Ruaraka), 2024
4/8 – Sikandar Raza vs Netherlands, Bulawayo, 2022
4/11 – Wellington Masakadza vs USA, Bulawayo, 2022
4/16 – Richard Ngarava vs Mozambique, Nairobi (Gymkhana), 2024
4/16 – Blessing Evans vs Tanzania, Harare, 2025
4/17 – Blessing Muzarabani vs Australia, Colombo (RPS), 2026, Today*
5/18 – Sikandar Raza vs Rwanda, Nairobi (Ruaraka), 2024
4/8 – Sikandar Raza vs Netherlands, Bulawayo, 2022
4/11 – Wellington Masakadza vs USA, Bulawayo, 2022
4/16 – Richard Ngarava vs Mozambique, Nairobi (Gymkhana), 2024
4/16 – Blessing Evans vs Tanzania, Harare, 2025
4/17 – Blessing Muzarabani vs Australia, Colombo (RPS), 2026, Today*
TRIVIA: This is the first Men's T20I Match in which two Zimbabwe bowlers claimed four-wicket hauls: Blessing Muzarabani (4/17) and Richard Ngarava (4/26).
Towhid Hridoy (Bangladesh Captain): "(On the decision to bowl first) Look, we wanted to take advantage of the early morning conditions. Our bowlers bowled really well. From some point of view, we need to work on a few things.
(On the venue) It's better condition than Harare. We get a sporting wicket, very good to bat on.
(Mindset coming into the match) We were in very good shape. We just wanted to take advantage of these conditions. But again, as a batting unit, we didn't bat well.
(On Nahid Rana) Yeah, he's a very good bowler. We know that. We know his ability very well. For the last couple of series, he's been bowling really well. So hopefully, he will continue.
(Where did they mess up in the chase?) Look, chasing 171, from the top, we need partnerships - at least one or two big partnerships. But we missed that. So if we face the same kind of situation again, we will try to build those partnerships."
(On the venue) It's better condition than Harare. We get a sporting wicket, very good to bat on.
(Mindset coming into the match) We were in very good shape. We just wanted to take advantage of these conditions. But again, as a batting unit, we didn't bat well.
(On Nahid Rana) Yeah, he's a very good bowler. We know that. We know his ability very well. For the last couple of series, he's been bowling really well. So hopefully, he will continue.
(Where did they mess up in the chase?) Look, chasing 171, from the top, we need partnerships - at least one or two big partnerships. But we missed that. So if we face the same kind of situation again, we will try to build those partnerships."
Player of the Match: Richard Ngarava
Richard Ngarava (Player of the Match): [on his performance] "I don't know what to say to be honest but I am quite happy that the team came out with a win there.
[on how he felt out there] Feeling really nice there. Everyone is prepared to take on the field and actually get to defend that total which was quite nice to have everyone contributing there.
[on differences between Harare and Bulawayo] It was quite slow off the deck but as a cricketer you always adjust to whatever conditions you get and I'm quite happy that I managed to adjust there and everyone else managed to adjust to the conditions.
[on the chat at the halfway stage] We didn't chat about anything. It's always kept in between the coach and captain to work around the combinations or whoever needs to walk in which was quite nice that everyone walked in and chipped in and made sure we got a defendable total there.
[on Muzarabani] It's really nice. Blessing is a champion bowler. There's nothing more I can say."
[on how he felt out there] Feeling really nice there. Everyone is prepared to take on the field and actually get to defend that total which was quite nice to have everyone contributing there.
[on differences between Harare and Bulawayo] It was quite slow off the deck but as a cricketer you always adjust to whatever conditions you get and I'm quite happy that I managed to adjust there and everyone else managed to adjust to the conditions.
[on the chat at the halfway stage] We didn't chat about anything. It's always kept in between the coach and captain to work around the combinations or whoever needs to walk in which was quite nice that everyone walked in and chipped in and made sure we got a defendable total there.
[on Muzarabani] It's really nice. Blessing is a champion bowler. There's nothing more I can say."
Sikandar Raza (Zimbabwe Captain): "[What did they do best in this game?] I thought this was a 150-odd, 155-par wicket. So for us to go above par, I think that's one positive with the batting. Fielding, we were 8 out of 10. I think we were as good as we could be, bar one or two little errors. But I thought when it comes to bowling, we were really spot on. A bad over here and there can happen, but generally, or mostly, I think we were very good. So I think there are many positives across all three departments. But I was just saying to the head coach as well that as much as it was 7.5 or 8 out of 10, the beauty of this and what excites me more is that we can still be better. And that is something I'm looking forward to for the next game.
(On Brian Bennett and the opening stand) Yeah, certainly. Brian has carried the opening stand for a very long time, and he continues to do so. Conditions in Harare in winter, especially when you lose the toss - and no better man to know than yourself, who was an opener as well - that it's tough. But it's nice that Brian is still in a very positive frame of mind. He was very confident going into this T20 series, even though there weren't many runs to his name. But we weren't worried. We gave him all the confidence he needed, and seeing him shine today certainly makes us happy.
(On the fast bowlers) They have been very good for a very long time. Going into the World Cup, doing well was heartening, but it was also a real eye-opener regarding where we need to be. The 3 fast bowlers have been lifting their standards. You don't get too many opportunities to get 10 wickets in Bulawayo. So, really pleased.
(On the win) Very happy. Very important. But most importantly, it's the way we have gone about our business. I mean, you would know in Bulawayo, you don't get many opportunities to take 10 wickets in T20 games. Getting them all out is certainly a step in the right direction, and that's what excites me the most.
(Mood in the dressing room?) The buzz is good. When the T20s started, we had a map again that, as much as we have come back from the World Cup, wherever we ended, top seven or whatever, how do we get better? How do we keep pushing ourselves? And how do we actually become a top-five or top-four team in the world? There are a few things that we have identified. But to see two out of the three departments do well against the targets that we have set, that's what excites me. And that's what I'm really pleased and happy about."
(On Brian Bennett and the opening stand) Yeah, certainly. Brian has carried the opening stand for a very long time, and he continues to do so. Conditions in Harare in winter, especially when you lose the toss - and no better man to know than yourself, who was an opener as well - that it's tough. But it's nice that Brian is still in a very positive frame of mind. He was very confident going into this T20 series, even though there weren't many runs to his name. But we weren't worried. We gave him all the confidence he needed, and seeing him shine today certainly makes us happy.
(On the fast bowlers) They have been very good for a very long time. Going into the World Cup, doing well was heartening, but it was also a real eye-opener regarding where we need to be. The 3 fast bowlers have been lifting their standards. You don't get too many opportunities to get 10 wickets in Bulawayo. So, really pleased.
(On the win) Very happy. Very important. But most importantly, it's the way we have gone about our business. I mean, you would know in Bulawayo, you don't get many opportunities to take 10 wickets in T20 games. Getting them all out is certainly a step in the right direction, and that's what excites me the most.
(Mood in the dressing room?) The buzz is good. When the T20s started, we had a map again that, as much as we have come back from the World Cup, wherever we ended, top seven or whatever, how do we get better? How do we keep pushing ourselves? And how do we actually become a top-five or top-four team in the world? There are a few things that we have identified. But to see two out of the three departments do well against the targets that we have set, that's what excites me. And that's what I'm really pleased and happy about."
TRIVIA: Zimbabwe became only the second team to have multiple bowlers claim four-wicket hauls in the same Men's T20I against Bangladesh, with Blessing Muzarabani (4/17) and Richard Ngarava (4/26). The first instance came for Afghanistan through Naveen-ul-Haq (4/26) and Rashid Khan (4/23) in Kingstown in 2024.
Biggest Win for Zimbabwe vs Bangladesh in T20Is (By Runs):
32 runs – Bulawayo, Today*
31 runs – Khulna, 2016
23 runs – Harare, 2021
32 runs – Bulawayo, Today*
31 runs – Khulna, 2016
23 runs – Harare, 2021
That ends our coverage from the first T20 international of the three-match series. Zimbabwe with their biggest win against Bangladesh start off in style! A combined team performance from the Chevrons leading them to the well deserved win. Ninaad Dixit here signing off on behalf of my co-commentator Darpan Tikiya, scorer/analyst Ashok Daima and statistician Aman. Stay tuned for more action from around the world.