9 best bowling figures in an innings for Zimbabwe in Tests – Blessing Muzarabani and Heath Streak dominate

Jonhenry Wilson 08 Feb 2025

Blessing Muzarabani has the second best innings bowling figures for Zimbabwe in Test cricket.

Blessing Muzarabani recently took seven wickets in a single Test innings for Zimbabwe.

But is this the best Test match innings haul for Zimbabwe?

Find out more about Zimbabwe’s best innings bowling figures in Test cricket.

9. Blessing Muzarabani – 6/95

Muzarabani has taken six wickets or more in a Test match innings twice in 2025. The first instance came against Afghanistan in Bulawayo, where conditions suited the tall fast bowler superbly.

8. Heath Streak – 6/90

Pakistan were little to no match for Streak in Harare in 1995. Grant Flower, Andy Whittal and Andy Flower hit centuries in this match as Zimbabwe achieved a famous win over Saleem Malik’s men.

7. Heath Streak – 6/87

This time the venue was Lord’s and the opposition England, as Streak shone at the ‘home of cricket’. Mike Atherton, Mark Ramprakash and Graeme Hick were among his victims as Streak made his way onto the famed Lord’s honours board.

6. Heath Streak – 6/73

The late, great Streak features three times on this list. The former captain was prolific against India in Harare in 2005. Virender Sehwag and VVS Laxman can attest to how well Streak bowled on the day.

Also read: Which captain has the best bowling figures in Test cricket?

5. Raymond Price – 6/73

Price was at his very best against the West Indies in Harare in 2003. Several years later, Price became the first Zimbabwean to play in the Indian Premier League.

4. Douglas Hondo – 6/59

It took a lot for a seamer to succeed in placid Dhaka conditions, but Hondo did just that against Bangladesh in 2005. These are the best Test innings figures for a Zimbabwean away from home.

3. Sikandar Raza – 7/113

The Pakistan-born spinner was outstanding for his adopted nation against Sri Lanka in Harare in 2020. He enjoyed plenty of extra turn and bounce from conducive conditions that day.

2. Blessing Muzarabani – 7/58

Muzarabani has the best Test innings figures among seamers for Zimbabwe. Bulawayo was the scene and Ireland the opposition in February 2025. His fine effort, however, did not result in victory for the Zimbabweans. Ireland won the one-off Test by 63 runs.

1. Paul Strang – 8/109

Strang is the only Zimbabwean to have taken eight wickets in a single Test match innings. He did this against New Zealand in Bulawayo in 2000. His haul included the key dismissals of centurion Matthew Horne and burgeoning all-rounder Daniel Vettori, but New Zealand won the match.

Time will tell whether any other Zimbabwean Test cricketer matches or betters the performances of Strang, Muzarabani, Streak and company.