After Liton Das hit a stunning century to help the Tigers take the first step forward in the three-match ODI series in Harare yesterday, Bangladesh proved to be significantly superior to Zimbabwe as the hosts were defeated by 155 runs.
Zimbabwe collapsed to 121 for nine in response to Bangladesh’s 276-run total, with tailender Timysen Maruma unable to bat. Shakib Al Hasan took his third five-wicket haul in one-day international cricket, surrendering 30 runs in 9.5 overs.
Bangladesh gained 10 points in the ICC Men’s World Cup Super League with this victory, putting them in second place behind England with 60 points.
With 269 wickets in ODIs, Shakib was tied with Tigers’ former captain Mashrafe Bin Mortaza as Bangladesh’s all-time leading wicket-taker. Shakib had surpassed Mashrafe and added another feather to his remarkable career when he dismissed skipper Brendan Taylor for his first wicket of the game.
As the hosts continued to lose wickets at regular intervals, Regis Chakabva’s 54 was the highest score for the Chevrons, while skipper Taylor, who was playing his 200th ODI, contributed 24 runs.
Bangladesh has previously been in trouble after being called in to bat in seaming conditions. The visitors were dealt the first blow when skipper Tamim Iqbal was dismissed for nothing in the third over after edging a Blessing Muzarabani ball. Tamim now has the unenviable record of having the most ducks for the Tigers in ODIs (19) and across all forms (34).
Bangladesh’s troubles continued as Shakib continued to struggle with the bat, and despite opening the innings with a stunning straight shot, he was removed for 19.
Then Mohammad Mithun, who had come in at number four in place of Mushfiqur Rahim, failed to make the most of his chance and left for 19 as well.
On 74 for four, the visitors were in serious trouble before Liton and Mahmudullah Riyad combined to add 93 runs for the fifth wicket. Despite the fact that Mahmudullah was dismissed for 33, Liton continued to steadily accelerate his innings and partnered with Afif Hossain as Bangladesh looked to achieve a large total.
Liton was eventually removed for 102 off 114 balls after achieving his fourth century. However, the wicket-keeper batter injured his wrist during batting, necessitating the use of Nurul Hasan as a substitute wicket-keeper.
Bangladesh added 48 runs in the last five overs of the innings, with Afif scoring 45 runs off 35 balls and Mehedi Hasan Miraz scoring 26 off 25 balls.
