VVS Laxman congratulates Zimbabwe after they win their first Test in five years

Not many give them a chance in the world of cricket today but Zimbabwe came out to make a strong statement and showed that they are still a force. The African side thrashed Bangladesh by 151 runs in the first Test match in Sylhet to take a 1-0 lead in the two-match game. This was Zimbabwe’s first Test victory in five years and their third biggest in terms of runs.

Though the 10th-ranked Test side beat the ninth-ranked, the difference in ratings between the two is 65. A lot of wishes poured in for Hamilton Masakadza’s side and among them was one from former Indian batsman VVS Laxman. Sylhet International Cricket Stadium, which was a witness to its first ever Test match, was not a high-scoring one.

The home team saw batting collapses in both innings, thanks to some spirited bowling performance from the visitors, especially debutant spinner Brendon Mavuta who took 4 for 21 in the second innings. Batting all-rounder Sikandar Raza took 6 wickets in the game for 76 runs.

However, it was Zimbabwe’s Sean Williams who was picked as the Man of the Match for his crucial 88 in the first innings and miserly bowling as he conceded just 18 runs in 12 overs in the game, taking one wicket.

‘Well deserved victory’

Laxman congratulated the Zimbabwean side for their win in a tweet, saying it was a “well deserved away Test Match victory” and called it a “spirited effort despite so many challenges”. Zimbabwe were a competitive side not too earlier but the serious political crisis in the country saw their cricket taking a hit, as a result of which their standard went downhill.

They even lost their Test-playing status for some time because of poor showing and failed to qualify for the next year’s World Cup in England – the first time since 1983 when they made their debut in the mega event. They lost the three-match ODI series played ahead of the Test against Bangladesh 0-3.

Zimbabwe are currently being coached by former India batsman Lalchand Rajput who said the side’s performance in Bangladesh did not surprise him for he knew how much effort the side had put in the run-up to the match.

Here is Laxman’s tweet

Congratulations to Zimbabwe on a well deserved away Test Match victory against Bangladesh. Really spirited effort despite so many challenges. #BANvZIM

— VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281) November 6, 2018

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