Match Thread: Zimbabwe vs Bangladesh 1st Test (20th-24th April 2025)

[TapsC2]

To be honest Welch did not impress and the pressure got to him. They usually don't change a winning team though. Johno I think might be a better pick in the next test because it will be spinning. If they do decide to change, he offers something with both bat and ball. The big disadvantage Nick has is that he doesn't bowl so he has to score big regularly.

I suspect Raza will play the big test matches coming up and we need him so it was always going to be tricky in terms of selection. He offers so much with the ball that we might end up playing 8 batsmen against the bigger teams but if they don't do that then someone will have to sit out. Raza has earned that respect.

[zimbot]

I would persist with the current top 6 for a few games. For me, Nick Welch's position in the team is still safe... at least I hope it is.

[zimbos_05]

Nice to see us hold our nerve and get the win. We have not done that in a long time.

One thing that still remains a problem is our players playing within themselves. They get into this defensive mindset and invite the pressure. We did it in the first innings. All those who failed had low SR's. We desperately need a sports psychologist as part of the team.

[mnelson68]

Great win, Tsiga must replace Mayavo for the next match

[mnelson68]

Great win, Tsiga must replace Mayavo for the next match

[Kriterion_BD]

I’m 6’3 and I guarantee I am taller than Craig and BT by some margin, it’s not right

They might be closer to 6-2, but surely no shorter than that. I also saw Craig at the toss standing next to Shanto, who is 5-10, and Craig is definitely 6-2 or thereabouts. I'm less sure of BT, but BT and Craig are around the same height.

[secretzimbo]

Craig is more or less exactly 6 foot.

The bangla captain guy is several inches shorter than that.

On the subject of height, Tsiga is at least 6ft 3in and I doubt will be able to walk properly by the time he retires. Everyone clamouring for him to be in the team, and for sure he might be a better bat than Mayavo. But Mayavo is a really good keeper. Had a nightmare here, but it's out of character. He's usually excellent behind the stumps, better than Tsiga, who is awkward especially when standing up to the stumps.

[jaybro]

Hey gang hope all are well,

Great test win for the boys after giving up strong positions in their last 4 tests, it was great to see Wes & Wellington hold their nerve at the end and get them over the line.

Blessing is world class, I know his best numbers have come against the lower sides, but he did well v Pakistan too and he’s average is close to 20 now. Is he the greatest black cricketer Zimbabwe has produced?

Bennett continues to impress, I’m still not a huge fan of his technique but he gets the runs which is all that counts.

Mayavo was a massive disappointment, we’ve heard for years about how good his keeping is, but those 3 misses were simple ones that nearly cost Zimbabwe a test match. He also shat the bed with the bat in the last innings.

Apart from maybe swapping the keeper, I’m not sure I’d make any changes for the next test. Welch may have struggled but he’s going to be key for the England test so I’d keep him there.

Nyauchi & Ngarava need to learn how to bowl a good line & length consistently. Both leak too many runs and try too many different things which costs Zim. Especially in conditions like this test where the pitch will do the work for you.

I fully expect a dust bowl for the next test, I’m surprised BD made the same mistake as they did in 2018 where they prepared a pitch that gave the Zim seamers some assistance.

[CrimsonAvenger]

Great win guys! Haven't had a chance to follow much, but hats off to the legend Blessing! Brilliant contributions by Bennett, Wellington, Curran, Wes and Williams too with pretty much everyone chipping in some way or the other...

[Kriterion_BD]

Craig is more or less exactly 6 foot.

The bangla captain guy is several inches shorter than that.

I've followed the NBA since I was 10...if its one thing I can eyeball its heights. Asides from the fact that 90% of dudes inflate their own height by 2 inches, I can guarantee that Craig is at least 6-2, because I know the Bangla captain is 5-10.

Edit: google is saying Craig is 6-1.