In the often-understated world of Zimbabwean cricket, moments of individual brilliance are celebrated with the intensity they deserve. One such moment unfolded recently when Zimbabwe’s towering fast bowler, Blessing Muzarabani, etched his name into the history books by becoming the fastest Zimbabwean to reach 50 Test wickets — in just his 11th match. This milestone brings him shoulder to shoulder with two Indian greats, Harbhajan Singh and Jasprit Bumrah, as well as other legendary fast bowlers in the global game. Muzarabani’s performance in the Test series against Bangladesh not only showcased his pace and precision but also solidified his reputation as one of Zimbabwe’s finest pace assets in the modern era.
Blessing Muzarabani’s destructive spell against Bangladesh in Sylhet
Coming into the match with 41 wickets to his name, Muzarabani was on the brink of a significant achievement. With Bangladesh playing host, conditions were tricky, compounded by intermittent rain delays. But for Muzarabani, it was the perfect stage. In the first innings, he struck early and hard, bagging figures of 3 for 50 and helping Zimbabwe dismiss the hosts for a modest 191. His consistent line and length, coupled with sharp bounce, proved too much for the Bangladesh batters.
However, it was in the second innings that Muzarabani truly stamped his authority. With the pitch still offering some assistance, he unleashed a spell of fast bowling fury, finishing with 6 for 72 — the second-best overseas innings figures for a Zimbabwean in Test cricket. Only Douglas Hondo’s 6/59 against the same opposition back in 2004/05 stands ahead. Muzarabani’s match haul of 9 for 122 is also the second-best by a Zimbabwean away from home, falling just short of Heath Streak’s legendary 9-72 against the West Indies in Port of Spain during the 1999/00 season.
This masterclass in pace bowling not only led Zimbabwe to a memorable Test win but also earned Muzarabani his place among the fastest to 50 Test wickets. The fact that this came amidst rain delays and in challenging conditions speaks volumes about his composure and maturity as a bowler.
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Muzarabani enters the elite league of legends
Reaching 50 Test wickets in just 11 matches is a rare feat. Muzarabani has now joined an elite group that includes iconic names like Allan Donald, Jeff Thomson, and Sonny Ramadhin. More notably, he stands alongside Indian stalwarts Bumrah and Harbhajan— both of whom reached the same landmark in their 11th Tests.
What makes this achievement even more special is its rarity in Zimbabwean cricket. Muzarabani is only the second Zimbabwean after Streak to have taken three six-wicket hauls in Tests. And while Streak was a consistent performer over a longer career, even he never managed a seven-wicket haul in an innings — something Muzarabani achieved earlier this year with a scintillating 7 for 58 against Ireland in Bulawayo. That spell remains the best innings figures by a Zimbabwean fast bowler to date.
Also READ: Twitter reactions: Blessing Muzarabani and Brian Bennett lead Zimbabwe to victory over Bangladesh in 1st Test
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