Opener Tanzid Hasan hit a blazing half-century as Bangladesh made a winning start to the five-match Twenty20 international series against Zimbabwe with a comprehensive eight-wicket victory in the opening game at Zahur Ahmed Chowhdury Stadium in Chittagong Friday.
Tanzid blasted a 47-ball 67 not out on his T20I debut, helping Bangladesh reach 126/2 in just 15.2 overs after bowlers played their part brilliantly to bundle Zimbabwe out for a paltry 124 in exactly 20 overs.
Tanzid survived thrice on his way to playing the match-winning knock.
Towhid Hridoy made an unbeaten 18-ball 33 and captain Nazmul Hossain Shanto added 21 in the game which was interrupted by rain twice.
Zimbabwe fast bowler Blessing Muzarabani dismissed Liton Das for one in his first over and could have removed Tanzid in his second over had fielders not put down two chances in three balls.
Tanzid, who was struggling initially, skied a short ball but wicket-keeper Joylord Gumbie, also a debutant, dropped the chance.
Three balls later, Brian Bennett grassed a straightforward chance at cover.
Tanzid made Zimbabwe pay heavily by treating the opposition bowlers with disdain.
Luke Jongwe however, had Shanto caught by Sean Williams but Tanzid's free flowing batting ensured Bangladesh would win the game without further trouble.
He raised his fifty off 36 balls, punching Sikandar Raza down to long-off for a single before Gumbie dropped another opportunity when Tanzid top-edged a delivery off fast bowler Richard Ngarava when on 56.
Tanzid, who hit eight fours and two sixes, then confirmed the victory with a boundary off Jongwe.
Fast bowlers Taskin Ahmed and Saifuddin claimed three wickets apiece earlier to put Zimbabwe to the sword.
Clive Madande made team-best 43 off 39 with six fours and Wellington Masakadza struck 34 to help Zimbabwe propel past 100 after the visitors slumped to 41/7.
Put in to bat first, Zimbabwe made an encouraging start when Gumbie hit consecutive boundaries against Shoriful Islam in the first two balls.
But morning does not always show the day.
Zimbabwe were brought down to the earth immediately when off-spinner Mahedi Hasan bowled opener Craig Ervine for a duck in the second over.
Gumbie and Bennett found boundaries at regular intervals to keep the side flowing but the rot began when Saifuddin, who returned figure of 3/15, had Gumbie (17) caught by Taskin.
Bennett was then run out for 16 before Mahedi dismissed Zimbabwe captain Sikandar Raza for nought in the same over to finish with 2/16.
Taskin joined the party, striking twice in consecutive deliveries to get the better of Williams and Ryan Burl, both out for duck.
Saifuddin took the wicket of Jongwe for two as Bangladesh sniffed a chance to bowl Zimbabwe out before they made it three-figure.
Madande and Masakadza resisted and added 75 runs for the eighth wicket to take the side past 100.
However, Taskin broke the partnership, rattling the stumps of Madande and Saifuddin then cleaned up the tail.
Masakadza was run out in the last delivery after hitting two fours and as many sixes.
1ST T20I
Zimbabwe 124 (Madande 43, Taskin 3/14) lost to Bangladesh 126/2 in 15.2 overs (Tanzid 67*, Hridoy 33*) by 8 wickets