An all-round performance from the batsmen guided Bangladesh to a rather convincing four-wicket win over visiting Zimbabwe in the first match of the four-game Twenty20 international series at Khulna’s Sheikh Abu Naser Stadium yesterday.
The visitors made a flying start to their innings but were later pegged back brilliantly by the Tigers bowlers, eventually managing 163/7 from their stipulated 20 overs. In reply, the home side comfortably reached their destination with eight balls to spare.
The southern African nation initiated regular breakthrough but were unable to stop the Tigers’ run flow as Sabbir Rahman (46), Tamim Iqbal (29), Mushfiqur Rahim (26) and Shakib al Hasan (20 not out) all crafted decent contributions.
Youngster Sabbir faced 36 balls and hit four boundaries and a six, taking advantage of a dropped catch by Vusi Sibanda off Sean Williams on 36.
Earlier, Hamilton Masakadza and Sibanda put on a record 101-run opening partnership to give Zimbabwe a solid start after skipper Elton Chigumbura won the toss and took first guard.
Masakadza struck a whirlwind 79 off 53 balls, equalling his own national record for the highest individual innings, while Sibanda made a quickfire 39-ball 46.
The Tigers bowlers did well to restrict Zimbabwe in the final few overs, despite Masakadza and Sibanda breaking the team record, set by Sikandar Raza and Chamu Chibhabha’s 100-run partnership against Afghanistan in October.
Bangladesh had to wait till the 12th over for their first success when Sibanda was finally caught at square leg by Tamim off Shakib.
Shakib dropped Masakadza on 73 off Mustafizur Rahman but debutant wicket-keeper Nurul Hasan Sohan ensured it did not cost the team much by ending his innings six runs later with a brilliant throw for a run out.
Shortly thereafter, Mustafizur bowled Chigumbura and Luke Jongwe off consecutive deliveries to finish with 2/18 before Al Amin Hossain grabbed two wickets in the final over of the innings.
Zimbabwe had to settle for a relatively modest total, picking up just 21 runs for five wickets in the last four overs.
The second match of the series will be held at the same ground tomorrow.
