Where does 2025 in Sylhet rank among Zimbabwe’s 4 best Test wins away from home?
In a world where Test cricket is dominated by traditional powers like England, India and Australia, sides that have been playing the longest form of the game for more than a century, Zimbabwe are relative minnows.
Zimbabwe only played their first Test in 1992 and, despite a period when they were able to boast a golden generation of players, like Andy and Grant Flower, Heath Streak and Henry Olonga, there have also been plenty of problems along the way.
There have been financial issues and political woes and the more universal problem of trying to establish themselves against seasoned and experienced opponents.
Wednesday marked a significant day in the history of Zimbabwe cricket as they claimed a famous three-wicket win over Bangladesh in Sylhet. It was their first away win in seven years and only their fourth ever away Test win.
Let’s take a moment to look back on Zimbabwe’s Test wins away from home.
4. 1998 vs Pakistan in Peshawar – Zimbabwe won by 7 wickets
Zimbabwe’s first ever away Test victory came against one of the giants of world cricket, and it remains one of the proudest moments in their Test history. Playing Pakistan in Peshawar in the first Test of a three-match series, Zimbabwe produced a superb all-round performance to secure a seven-wicket win.
Led by a four-wicket haul from Heath Streak in the first innings, Zimbabwe bowled Pakistan out for just 296. Renowned commentator Pommie Mbangwa also did his part well with figures of three for 40 which included the heavyweight scalps of Inzamam-ul-Haq, Ijaz Ahmed and Aamer Sohail. In reply, Zimbabwe struggled with allrounder Neil Johnson’s 107 the centrepiece of an innings of just 238 – which meant the African side were 58 runs behind on the first innings
Four second innings wickets for Olonga and another three for Mbangwa saw Pakistan rolled for 103 in their second innings. Murray Goodwin was the mainstay of the fourth innings with an undefeated knock of 73 as Zimbabwe duly chased down the target to win their first ever Test match abroad.
3. 2001 vs Bangladesh in Chattogram – Zimbabwe won by 8 wickets
Bangladesh had only recently been granted Test status when Zimbabwe toured in 2001, and the visitors showed their superior experience in Chattogram to register their second ever away Test win.
Bangladesh won the toss and elected to field first, a decision they were surely ruing by tea on day two as Zimbabwe reached a score of 542 for seven declared. It was a knock that featured tons from Trevor Gripper, Andy Flower and Craig Wishart.
Habibul Bashar managed a century as Bangladesh posted a score of 251 in their first innings before being asked to follow on. It went slightly better in their second knock as they reached a score of 301 with Grant Flower and Dougie Marillier each bagging four wicket hauls. it left Zimbabwe with just a handful of runs needed for victory and even though Mashrafe Mortaza claimed two for ten in ten balls it was all over in double-quick time as Gripper hit the 11 runs needed for victory.
2. 2018 vs Bangladesh in Sylhet – Zimbabwe won by 151 runs
By the time Zimbabwe next recorded an away Test win, a lot had changed. Their golden generation had long since retired, and they were now a side striving to reassert themselves in international cricket. But in 2018, in Sylhet, they pulled off a convincing 151-run win to break a 17-year drought for away Test victories.
Batting first, Zimbabwe posted a competitive 282 in their first innings, thanks to 88 from Sean Williams and contributions from the lower order. The bowlers then took charge, bowling Bangladesh out for just 143, with Tendai Chatara and Sikandar Raza each bagging three wickets.
Zimbabwe’s second innings total of 181 left Bangladesh needing 321 to win. Despite battling knocks from Imrul Kayes (43) and Ariful Haque (38), the hosts were bowled out for 169. Raza once again starred with the ball, taking 3 for 41, while Brandon Mavuta chipped in with four wickets to complete the win.
1. 2025 vs Bangladesh in Sylhet – Zimbabwe won by 3 wickets
Zimbabwe’s most recent triumph came at the same ground as their 2018 win – Sylhet – and once again they displayed grit, discipline and moments of brilliance to edge Bangladesh by three wickets.
In a low-scoring, tense affair, Bangladesh batted first and were bowled out for a modest 191. Zimbabwe replied with 273, giving them a crucial first-innings lead. The match remained finely poised as Bangladesh posted 255 in their second innings, setting Zimbabwe a tricky target of 174.
What followed was an exciting chase. Zimbabwe started well with opener Brian Bennett and Ben Curran scoring 54 and 44 respectively for an opening stand of 95. But a flurry of wickets, with Mehidy Hasan Miraz claiming five for 50 meant some tense moments, before Wessly Madhevere steered the African minnows over the line.
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