Liton ton and Shakib fifer help Tigers thrash Zim

After Liton Das' century helped Bangladesh pile up a commendable total, premier all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan bagged a fifer to ensure the Tigers win comfortably by 155 runs against hosts Zimbabwe in the first ODI at the Harare Sports Club today. 

Chasing Bangladesh's total of 276 for nine, Zimbabwe only managed to score 121 for nine in 28.5 overs. Timycen Maruma, who picked up an injury earlier in the game, did not come out to bat as the Tigers ensured 10 more points in the ICC ODI Super League.

After two quick wickets had pushed Zimbabwe in the backfoot during a stiff run-chase, Shakib dismantled the Zimbabwe middle-order. Zimbabwe did however have a few decent partnerships in the middle, but they lost their way when Shakib removed skipper Brendan Taylor in the 15th over. 

Zimbabwe then kept on losing wickets in regular intervals with Shakib running through the Zimbabwean middle and lower order.  The premier all-rounder, who could not end his poor run of form with the bat even in this game, made amends with the ball in hand as he ended with figures of five for 30 in 9.5 runs -- his third five-wicket haul in ODIs. 

Earlier, Liton smashed his fourth ODI ton to help Bangladesh recover from a vulnerable position. After the right-hander was dismissed following a magnificent 114-ball 102, cameos from Afif Hossain and Mehedi Hasan Miraz at the latter part of the innings ensured Bangladesh end with a decent score on the board. Afif scored 45 off 35 while Miraz struck a 25-ball 26.  

Shakib scalps three as Tigers inch closer to victory

After pacers removed the top three Zimbabwean batsmen, premier all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan struck thrice to help Bangladesh inch closer towards victory in their first ODI at the Harare Sports Club today. 

Bangladesh picked up three wickets in space of 10 deliveries to reduce Zimbabwe to 112 for seven after 25 overs in their response to Tigers' commendable total of 276 for nine. 

Shakib started his onslaught with the crucial wicket of Zimbabwe skipper Brendan Taylor. In the 15th over, Taylor tried to slog sweep a Shakib delivery but was only able to get a top edge on it. Taskin Ahmed at short fine leg took a simple catch as Taylor walked back after a 31-ball 24. With that wicket, Shakib also became the player with most wickets in ODIs for Bangladesh.  

Shakib then removed Ryan Burl in the 21st over when he too perished trying to slog sweep the left-armer. And Luke Jongwe's run-out in the very next over meant Zimbabwe were in deep trouble. 

The hosts' trouble only compounded when Shakib struck again, this time trapping Blessing Muzarabani in front in the 23rd over. 
 

Taskin, Saifuddin make early inroads

Defending a commendable total, pacers Mohammad Saifuddin and Taskin Ahmed had early success as Bangladesh made a decent start with the bowl in the first ODI against Zimbabwe at the Harare Sports Club today. 

Strikes from Saifuddin and Taskin had reduced Zimbabwe to two for 25 after seven overs in response to Bangladesh's total 276 for nine.  

Saifuddin gave Tigers their first breakthrough when Zimbabwe opener Tadiwanashe Marumani chopped one onto his stumps while trying to cut a good length delivery that was coming in to the left-hander after pitching. Marumani, who is on his debut, walked back without troubling the scorers. 

Taskin then made Wesley Madhevere's stumps take a flight with a delivery that nipped back in and went through the gap between bat and pad.