Four memorable moments in Zimbabwe cricket history

July 18th, 2019 was a sad day in the history of Zimbabwe, as well as global cricket. The International Cricket Council, on, said date, suspended Zimbabwe cricket with immediate effect as it was in violation of Article 2.4(c) and 2.4 (d) of the ICC Constitution.

ICC's decision to suspend Zimbabwe has indeed been a difficult one to digest for cricket fans who have followed Zimbabwe's journey over the years. There have been several ups and downs in the African nation's cricket history. Zimbabwe played their first ever One-Day International in the 1983 World Cup and nine years later played their first Test against India in 1992.

Here is a look at four memorable cricket moments involving Zimbabwe which will be everlasting in the minds of cricket fans.

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#4. First ever Test win

Grant Flower.

Zimbabwe's first ever Test win was indeed a special one. The win was their only one in their first thirty Tests. The opponent was a strong Pakistan outfit.

Batting first at the Harare Sports Club, the hosts toyed with the Pakistani bowlers and piled up a mammoth total of 544 runs for the loss of four wickets and declared the innings. The Flower brothers were amongst the runs with Grant Flower scoring an unbeaten 201 and Andy Flower scoring an impressive 156. Guy Whittall too scored an unbeaten century. The Pakistan bowling comprising Wasim Akram, Aaqib Javed and Kabir Khan had no success whatsoever against the hosts.

Heath Streak was the star for Zimbabwe when they got the visitors all out for 322 in their first innings and thereafter enforced the follow on. Streak picked up 6 wickets for 90 runs in 39 overs and was the most successful bowler.

The visitors were bundled out for just 158 in their second innings with Streak, Brain and Whittall picking up three wickets each. The Paksitani batting line up comprising Aamir Sohail, Saeed Anwar, Saleem Malik, Ijaz Ahmed, Inzamam-Ul-Haq failed to score runs and Zimbabwe won their first ever Test by a margin of an innings and 64 runs.

History was created and it was indeed one unforgettable day for fans of Zimbabwe cricket.

#3 First ever Test series win

Andy Flower was a great servant of Zimbabwe cricket.

The first-ever Test series win for the African nation was against Pakistan in Pakistan. Zimbabwe toured Pakistan in the year the year 1998 and won the two-match Test series by a margin of 1-0.

They won the first Test against Pakistan at Peshawar by seven wickets. The said win was their third win in Test cricket and the second against Pakistan.

Pakistan scored 296 in their first innings with Heath Streak being the pick of the bowlers by picking up four wickets. In reply, Zimbabwe were bundled out for 238 and Pakistan had a lead of 58 in the first innings. Neil Johnson scored a brilliant century and led Zimbabwe to a total of 238.

Henry Olonga and Pommie Mbangwa bowled Pakistan out for just 103 in the third innings of the Test with the duo picking seven wickets between them. A strong Pakistan batting line-up were helpless against the Zimbabwe quicks.

Zimbabwe riding on the innings of 73 by Murray Goodwin chased down the low target with ease and won their first ever Test away from home. The second Test at Lahore ended in a draw and Zimbabwe had their first ever series win.

#2. Comeback with a bang

Hamilton Masakadza.

Zimbabwe did not play Test cricket for a period of six years from 2005 to 2011. The comeback Test against Bangladesh in Harare was expected to be a difficult one for the hosts considering that they had not played red-ball cricket for six years.

But the home team did not disappoint. The Test was a special one for the hosts as they beat Bangladesh by a huge margin of 130 runs. Hamilton Masakadza scored 104 in the first innings and the hosts reached an impressive score of 370. Bangladesh were bowled out for 287 in their first innings.

Brendon Taylor scored an impressive unbeaten 105 in Zimbabwe's second innings. Kyle Jarvis picked up four wickets and Bangladesh were bundled out for 244 as the African nation got home comfortably while defending a steep target. Zimbabwe showed glimpses of their best cricket in this Test.

#1. 1999 World Cup

Neil Johnson was brilliant in the quadrennial event in 1999.

The 1999 World Cup was a memorable one for Zimbabwe. The team from Africa tasted success against Kenya, India and South Africa. Zimbabwe beat Kenya by five wickets at Taunton. Chasing 230 for a win, they got to the target with nine overs to spare.

The game against India at Leicester was won by Zimbabwe by a narrow margin of three runs. Zimbabwe scored 252 in 50 overs with Andy Flower top scoring with 68. India conceded 51 runs as extras which eventually led to their downfall in the chase. India scored 249 with Henry Olonga picking up three wickets.

They defeated the tournament favorites South Africa too in the group stages by a margin of eight runs. batting first, Zimbabwe scored 233 and bowled out South Africa for just 185.

Thus Zimbabwe reached the Super Six stage in the 1999 World Cup but could not proceed further. Neil Johnson was the star for Zimbabwe as he won three man-of-the-match awards during an impressive all-round show.