Bangladesh taste defeat after 9 years in ODIs against Zimbabwe

A brilliant batting performance from Zimbabwe handed Bangladesh a five-wicket defeat in the first match at the Harare Sports Club on Friday. With that victory, the hosts took a 1-0 lead in the three-match ODI series.

Before this defeat, the Tigers were unbeaten for 19 matches against Zimbabwe in a 50-over match. Back in 2013, Bangladesh were defeated for the last time. 

After asking to bat first, the Tigers posted a healthy total of 303 runs. Skipper Tamim Iqbal, Litton Das, Anamul Haque Bijoy and Mushfiqur Rahim all these plates hit half-centuries. However, their performances went in vain as the hosts reached there comfortably with 10 deliveries in hand.

Innocent Kaia and Sikandar Raza were the heroes for the African nation as they made an impressive partnership of 192 runs. Both of them hit tons. Kaia walked off after scoring 110 while Raza was unbeaten on 135 and was named the Player of the Match.

They took 115 and 81 deliveries to bring up their centuries. It was the maiden century for Kaia while the fifth for Raza.

Despite two early blows, Zimbabwe recovered quite nicely as Kaia and Wesley Madhevere made some resistance. However, Madhevere walked off after scoring 19 runs.

Mustafizur Rahman picked up the first wicket. He removed Zimbabwe skipper Regis Chakabva in the last ball of the first over. After facing six deliveries, the batter scored two runs.

In the next over, Shoriful Islam came into the attack and dismissed the other opener Tarisai Musakanda who made four runs.

Kaia stepped out and slammed the ball through mid-wicket. A bit of a fumble by the fielder which tempted Kaia for the second run. Madhevere however was caught ball watching and was stranded well short of his crease at the bowler's end.

After Madhevere’s departure, Raza came into the middle and the partnership between him and Kaia was enough to beat Bangladesh.

Earlier, the Tigers collected 303 runs after losing only two wickets and it was a flying start for them as they lost their first wicket after collecting 119 runs. 

Tamim was the batter to fall. Before leaving the crease, the opener made 62 runs and became the first Bangladeshi batter to react 8,000 ODI runs.

Later, Litton and Bijoy were playing nicely but Litton unfortunately was being taken off on a stretcher. He suffered from a muscle pull and was hobbling after taking a single during 33.1. So, he went off retired hurt. He made 81 off 89 deliveries.

Post that, Bijoy brought up his half-century in style after getting the chance to play an ODI match. Back in 2019, the batter played his last ODI. 

Bijoy walked off after scoring 73 runs from 62 balls. He smashed three boundaries and the same number of over-boundaries.

Mushfiqur was the fourth batter in the match to hit a half-century. He remained unbeaten on 52 runs with the help of five boundaries in 49 deliveries.

Afterward, the unbeaten 36-run stand of Mushfiqur-Mahmudullah Riyad helped the Tigers cross the 300-runs mark.

For Zimbabwe, debutant Victor Nyauchi picked up Tamim’s wicket while Raza claimed Bijoy’s wicket.