Zimbabweans spring a big surprise

Foster Mutizwa shocked the Bangladesh tourists here Monday when he scored 87 to take a Zimbabwe XI to victory in their three-day encounter, the only warm-up match before the one-off Test later in the week.

Foster Mutizwa shocked the Bangladesh tourists here Monday when he scored 87 to take a Zimbabwe XI to victory in their three-day encounter, the only warm-up match before the one-off Test later in the week.

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Zimbabwe hasn't been participating in Tests for six years after the nation went through a political turmoil. In the interim, their standards had sunk abysmally.

Bangladesh looked to be in charge when the day started, having reduced the hosts to three for two on Sunday evening as they went in chase of the 223 they needed for victory.

However, Sikandar Raza and Regis Chakabva dropped anchor and took the score to 43 before Chakabva fell leg before to Shakib Al Hasan,

That brought in the 25 year-old Mutizwa who proceeded to see the Zimbabweans across the line with an unbeaten 87 from 165 balls with four fours and two sixes. The key partnership came when he added 84 with Craig Ervine, who made 42, for the sixth wicket.

Mutize, however, did not do enough to warrant selection in the Test which will be Zimbabwe's first since they were thrashed by New Zealand on home soil in 2005.

The two sides will also play five one-day internationals.