Bangladesh yesterday defeated Zimbabwe by a mammoth 169 in the first ODI at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium achieving their highest runs victory against the African nation in the ODI. Bangladesh’s previous highest win against Zimbabwe was 163 runs. Chasing a huge total of 322 runs for victory Zimbabwe was bundled out for a merely 152 runs in their innings.
Tigers bowled with lot of control and aggression as all regular bowlers took wickets. Mohammed Saifuddin set the tone for Bangladesh as he only gave 6 runs in his five overs and took 2 wickets in his opening spell. He was the pick of the Bangladesh bowler claiming 3 wickets. Mehidy Hasan and captain Mashrafe Mortaza picked up two wickets apiece.
For Zimbabwe, debutant Wesley Madhevere top-scored 35 runs with five boundaries. Earlier, Liton Kumar Das hit a hundred helped Bangladesh post 321 for 6 which was Bangladesh’s highest total against Zimbabwe. Liton struck 126 off 105, smashing 13 fours and two sixes, before being retired hurt.
Mohammad Mithun blasted a 41 ball-50 with five fours and one six while Mohammad Saifuddin made a whirlwind 15 ball-28 not out to help the side propel past the 300-run mark. Debutant off-spinner Wesley Madhevere trapped Tamim for leg-before on 24 off 43 for his maiden International wicket and brought an end to the 60-run opening partnership.
Tamim’s departure brought Nazmul Hossain Shanto in the crease and the combination of Shanto and Liton gave Bangladesh innings the pace that they needed. They shared an 80-run stand in second wicket before Tinotenda Mutumbodzi had Shanto LBW for 29. But Liton continued to treat the bowlers with the utmost disdain and finally brought up his century off 95 balls with an elegant flick that raced to boundary. Chris Mpofu was Zimbabwe's best bowler taking 2-68.
