ABU DHABI — Zimbabwe began their tri-nation ODI series campaign with a commanding 99-run victory over Bangladesh, exposing the visitors’ batting frailties after restricting them to 172 in 33.4 overs while chasing a target of 272.
Despite an aggressive start from opener Tanzid Hasan, Bangladesh struggled to build partnerships and lost wickets at regular intervals. Brad Evans led Zimbabwe’s bowling attack with four wickets for 45 runs, while Sikandar Raza and Wellington Masakadza claimed two wickets each.
Chasing 272, Bangladesh appeared capable of mounting a challenge as Tanzid attacked the Zimbabwean bowlers early. He scored 46 before falling to Newman Nyamhuri off the final ball of the powerplay. Soumya Sarkar had earlier departed for nine.
Bangladesh’s innings quickly unravelled after the openers’ dismissals. Captain Najmul Hossain Shanto scored just four, while Towhid Hridoy managed 13 before being dismissed by Raza. The growing pressure from dot balls and an inability to rotate the strike further undermined the chase.
Saif Hassan top-scored for Bangladesh with 26 but received little support from the other end. Taskin Ahmed remained unbeaten on 16, while the rest of the batting order failed to mount a meaningful recovery.
Earlier, Zimbabwe recovered from a shaky start to post 271-8 after winning the toss and electing to bat.
Taskin struck early, reducing Zimbabwe to 24-3 within the first seven overs. However, Sean Williams and Craig Ervine steadied the innings with a crucial 150-run fourth-wicket partnership.
Williams scored 81 off 101 balls, including 10 boundaries, while Ervine narrowly missed a century, making 93 off 106 deliveries with nine fours. Williams also surpassed Andy Flower to become Zimbabwe’s leading run-scorer in ODI cricket, according to the match report.Saif broke the partnership by dismissing Williams, then removed captain Sikandar Raza for four. Rishad Hossain subsequently dismissed Wesley Madhevere for 17, leaving Zimbabwe at 220-6.
Shariful Islam struck twice, dismissing Ervine and Brad Evans, as Zimbabwe slipped to 234-8 in the 46th over. However, Newman Nyamhuri and Masakadza added valuable late runs, with their late acceleration contributing 37 runs in the final four overs to lift Zimbabwe to a competitive total.
Taskin finished with three wickets for 44 runs, while Shariful and Saif claimed two wickets apiece.
The emphatic victory gives Zimbabwe an early advantage in the three-team tournament and a significant boost to their net run rate, while Bangladesh face an early setback.
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