Sports Reporter :
Bangladesh thrashed Zimbabwe by 155 runs in their first One Day International (ODI) match at Harare Sports Club ground in Zimbabwe on Friday. The Score: Bangladesh 276/9, Zimbabwe 121.
Sent into bat first, Bangladesh piled up a fighting total of 276 for the loss of nine wickets in the allotted 50 overs and then dismissed Zimbabwe for 121 off 28.5 overs.
left-arm spinner Shakib Al Hasan played the key role in demolishing Zimbabwe’s innings. His terrific spell was 9.5-3-30-5. He has now 274 wickets in 213 ODIs. He is now the highest ODI wicket-taker of the country.
Bangladesh had a sorrow start as opener Tamim Iqbal (0) was caught behind by Regis Chakabva off Blessing Muzarabani when the tourists’ score was naught.
Then opener Liton Das and Shakib Al Hasan repaired the damage adding together 32 runs for the second wicket partnership before Shakib (19) was caught at the cover by Ryan Burl off Muzarabani when the visitors’ total was 32 for the loss of two wickets.
Liton Das played the key role for Bangladesh to pile up a satisfactory total. Liton hit 102. His 114-ball innings had eight fours. It was Liton’s 4th century in ODI cricket. He was adjudged the Man of the Match for his outstanding innings.
After Shakib’s dismissal, Mohammad Mithun came at the crease but Mithun’s innings was short-lived as he (19) was caught behind by wicketkeeper Regis Chakabva off Tendai Chatara when the touring side’s score was 57 for the loss of three wickets.
After Mithun’s departure, Mosaddek Hossain arrived at the pitch but he could stay at the crease for a short period as he (5) was caught behind by Chakabva off Richard Ngarava when Bangladesh’s total was 74 for the loss of four wickets.
Then Liton and Mahmudullah Riyad rescued their team contributing together 93
runs for the fifth wicket partnership before Riyad was caught by Chakabva off Luke Jongwe when the tourists’ total was 167 for the loss of five wickets.
Riyad scored 33 from 52 balls.
After Riyad’s dismissal, Liton and Afif Hossain added together 40 runs for the sixth wicket stand before Liton was caught at the square leg by substitute Wellington Masakadza when the visitors’ score was 207 for the loss of six wickets.
Then Afif and Mehidy Hasan Miraz put on together 58 runs in the seven-wicket stand before Miraz (26) was caught at the deep cover by Wellington Masakadza off Jongwe when Bangladesh’s total was 265 for the loss of seven wickets.
After Miraz’s departure, Afif was bowled out by Jongwe when Bangladesh’s score was 265 for the loss of eight wickets.
Afif hit a polished 45 from 35 deliveries including two sixes and one four.
Number 10 batsman Taskin Ahmed (1) was run out by a joint-effort of Wellington Masakadza and Regis Chakabva when the tourists’ total was 267 for the loss of nine wickets.
Jongwe grabbed three wickets in the space of 51 runs, while Muzarabani and Ngarava got two wickets each conceding 47 and 61 runs respectively.
Later, Taskin Ahmed, Mohammad Saifuddin and Shoriful Islam took one wicket apiece.
Regis Chakabva was the only batsman of the hosts who fought back against the tight and controlled bowling attack of Bangladesh. He made 54 from 51 balls featuring two sixes and four fours.
The 2nd ODI will be held tomorrow at the same ground.
