Zimbabwe wins Bangladesh Test as Indian fans miss live broadcast

Arvind Bhatnagar

When Zimbabwe national cricket team wrapped up the opening Test in Sylhet with a three‑wicket triumph, fans across India were left staring at a blank TV screen. The drama unfolded on Bangladesh vs Zimbabwe 1st TestSylhet International Cricket Stadium on Monday, April 21, 2025, at 9:30 AM BST – but no official live stream or TV channel was available in the country.

Series backdrop and why the Sylhet showdown mattered

The two‑Test series, sponsored by Dutch‑Bangla Bank, is part of both sides’ preparation for upcoming ICC tournaments. After a rain‑affected first day, Mominul Haque top‑scored for Bangladesh national cricket team with a gritty 56, while Zimbabwe’s seam attack, led by Blessing Muzarabani, rattled the hosts early.

Historically, the rivalry is tight – Bangladesh leads the head‑to‑head 8‑7 with three draws. Their last encounter in Harare, July 2021, ended in a 220‑run Bangladeshi victory. This time, the stakes were higher: both teams hoped to fine‑tune their line‑ups before the World Test Championship window opens later this year.

Day 2: A nail‑biter that swung in Zimbabwe’s favour

Bangladesh’s second innings crumbled to 255, thanks to a disciplined spell from Mehidy Hasan Miraz, who claimed five wickets for 52 runs. The target of 174 seemed modest, but the chase turned into a thriller.

Opening pair Brian Bennett and Ben Curran steadied the ship. Bennett, unbeaten on 54 off 81 balls, anchored the innings while Curran’s quick 44 kept the run‑rate honest. With seven wickets down and just 50 runs needed, Zimbabwe held their nerve, clinching the win by three wickets with 0.9 overs to spare.

Post‑match, Muzarabani was crowned Player of the Match for his three‑wicket haul on Day 1, and Sean Williams emerged as Zimbabwe’s top batsman, adding 59 runs at a strike rate of 54.62.

Indian viewers left in the dark

Multiple outlets – News18, Indian Express, and Wisden – confirmed that no broadcaster held the Indian rights. The Bangladesh Cricket Board’s agreement with BTV and BTV News covered 49 countries, deliberately excluding India. As a result, fans turned to text commentary on ESPNcricinfo and unofficial YouTube streams such as ‘Iqbal Sports Live’, which posted a day‑by‑day video recap.

“It felt like watching a movie without subtitles,” one Delhi‑based fan told us via a Twitter DM. The sentiment was echoed across forums: Home‑grown platforms tried to fill the void, but the lack of high‑definition visuals left a sour taste.

Industry analysts note that the blackout stems from the Indian market’s high rights fees; broadcasters often wait for a packaged deal covering multiple series before committing. Until then, the cricket‑hungry audience will have to rely on live scores and audio commentary.

Statistical snapshot and records set

• Bangladesh 1st Innings: 191 (59.2 overs)
• Zimbabwe 1st Innings: 273 (84.3 overs)
• Bangladesh 2nd Innings: 255 (84.5 overs)
• Zimbabwe 2nd Innings: 174/7 (50.1 overs) – chase secured
• Top performers: Muzarabani (3/45), Miraz (5/52), Bennett (54*)

The win marks Zimbabwe’s first Test victory on Bangladeshi soil since 2018, and it narrows the series gap, making the second Test at Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chattogram a must‑watch.

What lies ahead – the second Test and beyond

Both sides will regroup ahead of the April 28 clash. Bangladesh’s captain, Najmul Shanto, is expected to tweak the batting order, while Zimbabwe’s skipper Craig Ervine will likely retain his opening pair given their recent success.

The series is more than just a bilateral tally; it serves as a litmus test for how both teams will fare in the upcoming World Test Championship matches against powerhouses like Australia and England. A strong performance could boost their ICC rankings and, crucially for Zimbabwe, attract better broadcast deals.