Nurul Hasan began his Bangladesh captaincy tenure on a losing note as Zimbabwe prevailed by 17 runs in a high-scoring first Twenty20 international at Harare Sports Club Saturday.
Chasing 206 for only their second victory in the last 14 T20Is, the Tigers finished on 188 for the loss of six wickets in 20 overs.
Nurul was unbeaten in the end on 42 while Nazmul Hossain Shanto and Liton Das made 37 and 32 respectively, but Bangladesh eventually fell well short of their target.
Luke Jongwe was the most successful Zimbabwe bowler with two wickets.
Earlier, brisk fifties from Wessley Madhevere and player of the match Sikandar Raza guided Zimbabwe to a more than competitive 205 after the hosts won the toss.
Madhevere struck his seventh T20I half century before retiring hurt on a 46-ball 67 while Raza continued his purple patch, blasting an unbeaten 26-ball 65 – en route to which he smashed the quickest fifty at this ground.
Together the fourth wicket stand added 91 quickfire runs as Zimbabwe hammered 131 runs in their last 10 overs.
This was Zimbabwe’s second highest T20I total.
Madhevere hit nine fours in his innings before walking off the field injured after hurting himself while completing a second run while the in-form Raza smoked seven fours and four sixes in his whirlwind knock.
Mustafizur Rahman bagged two wickets but went at 12.5 runs per over while Mosaddek Hossain picked up one.
Taskin Ahmed (10.5) and Shariful Islam (11.25) are the other bowlers who leaked more than 10 an over.
"Batting first is our strength and it looks like a good wicket. Confidence is high after the Bulawayo victories," said captain and opening batsman Craig Ervine at the toss.
Zimbabwe won all five matches in Bulawayo this month to finish first in a qualifying tournament for the T20 World Cup in Australia during October and November.
Bangladesh in contrast have been struggling in the shortest format of the game.
Wicket-keeper Nurul led the tourists, who will be missing several key figures for a tour that also includes three one-day internationals.
Shakib al Hasan is on personal leave, Mahmudullah and Mushfiqur Rahim are rested, and Tamim Iqbal has retired.
Nurul said at the toss, “The wicket looks good, this should be a competitive tournament. We have a few changes from our previous series against the West Indies, but we are ready.”
Bangladesh made three changes to the side from the last game against the Windies with Shakib, Mahmudullah and Mahedi Hasan making way for Shanto, Munim Shahriar and Taskin.
Bangladesh: Liton Das, Anamul Haque, Nazmul Hossain Shanto, Munim Shahriar, Mosaddek Hossain, Afif Hossain, Nurul Hasan (wk/c), Nasum Ahmed, Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, Shariful Islam
Zimbabwe: Regis Chakabva (wk), Craig Ervine (c), Wesley Madhevere, Sean Williams, Sikandar Raza, Milton Shumba, Ryan Burl, Luke Jongwe, Wellington Masakadza, Richard Ngarava, Tanaka Chivanga
