Nahid Rana unleashed a breathtaking display of fast bowling, ripping through Zimbabwe’s batting line-up with a career-best 6-21 to power Bangladesh into a commanding position in the first ODI at Harare on Monday, as the visitors bundled the hosts out for just 141 in 36.4 overs at Harare Sports Club in the opening match of the three-ODI series.
Rana’s figures of 6-21 not only sealed the innings but also set a new benchmark in Bangladesh ODI cricket, surpassing Mashrafe Bin Mortaza’s previous best of 6-26 against Kenya in 2006.
The performance marked his third five-wicket haul in international cricket, all coming in 2026, making him only the second Bangladeshi bowler after Mustafizur Rahman (2015) to take three five-wicket hauls in a calendar year. It was also his first five-wicket haul away from home
Earlier, Bangladesh captain Mehidy Hasan Miraz helped trigger the collapse after Zimbabwe’s openers Brian Bennett and Ben Curran gave a positive start. Bennett was dropped on eight at gully off Taskin Ahmed, but the momentum soon shifted.
Curran was run out for 18 in the seventh over after a quick single attempt, with Miraz producing a sharp direct involvement in the field. In the same over, Bennett fell for 17, edging Taskin to point where Mosaddek Hossain took a sharp catch, leaving Zimbabwe 38-3 after Craig Ervine was also bowled by Taskin.
Rana was introduced soon after and struck immediately, removing Sikandar Raza for one, before dismissing Wessly Madhevere for a duck with Najmul Hossain Shanto taking the catch at second slip. Clive Madande soon followed, driving straight to point.
Innocent Kaia tried to rebuild with 26 off 39 balls but was undone by Rana, edging behind to wicketkeeper Nurul Hasan Sohan. The pacer then trapped Brad Evans lbw to complete his five-wicket haul, reducing Zimbabwe to 70-8 after they had lost eight wickets for just 34 runs.
A late resistance came from Richard Ngarava and Newman Nyamhuri, who added 63 runs off 81 balls. Rana returned to bowl Ngarava for 27, while Miraz dismissed Nyamhuri for 33, the highest score of the innings.
Alongside Rana’s brilliance, Taskin Ahmed claimed two wickets and Miraz chipped in with one as Bangladesh produced a dominant bowling performance.
