Bangladesh failed to capitalise on an early breakthrough with the ball before their batting collapsed in a 99-run defeat against Zimbabwe in the opening match of the tri-nation series in Abu Dhabi on Saturday.
After Taskin Ahmed reduced Zimbabwe to 24-3, Brendan Taylor and Craig Ervine combined for a 150-run partnership to lift their side to 271-8.
Bangladesh, playing under new ODI captain Towhid Hridoy in the absence of the injured Litton Das, were then bowled out for 172 in 33.4 overs while chasing 272 at the Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium.
The defeat marked Bangladesh’s eighth failure to chase a target of 240 or more in their last 10 innings batting second. Zimbabwe, meanwhile, have now won five of their last seven ODIs against Bangladesh.
Bangladesh began the chase positively, with Tanzid Hasan Tamim and Soumya Sarkar adding 47 runs in 6.2 overs. Soumya, however, departed for nine off 17 balls, caught at slip off Blessing Muzarabani.
Tanzid continued to score freely before falling to Newman Nyamhuri in the final over of the first powerplay. He made 46 off 38 balls, hitting nine fours and a six, but his dismissal triggered a slide.
Brad Evans trapped Najmul Hossain Shanto lbw for a brief but significant breakthrough. Shanto reviewed the decision, but ball-tracking confirmed the ball would have hit middle stump. Bangladesh were reduced to 68-3 in 10.2 overs.
Saif Hassan and Hridoy attempted to steady the innings with a 29-run stand, but Sikandar Raza successfully reviewed an lbw decision against the Bangladesh captain. Hridoy departed for 13 off 21 balls, leaving the hosts under further pressure.
Wellington Masakadza then struck twice in consecutive overs, trapping Mosaddek Hossain lbw before Saif was caught behind for 26 off 37 balls. Evans returned to remove Nurul Hasan and Shoriful Islam within five deliveries, and Bangladesh were eventually dismissed for 172.
Earlier, Zimbabwe’s innings had threatened to unravel after Taskin produced a superb opening spell. He dismissed Brian Bennett for a duck in the first over, trapped Ben Curran lbw and had Tafadzwa Tsiga caught behind by Nurul Hasan. Zimbabwe were left struggling at 24-3 after 6.6 overs.
Taylor and Ervine then rebuilt the innings with a 150-run stand for the fourth wicket, the second-highest partnership for that wicket for Zimbabwe against Bangladesh in ODIs.
Taylor scored 81 off 101 balls before Saif Hassan broke the partnership, dismissing him as he failed to connect with a reverse sweep. Saif then removed Raza for four, caught behind.
Taylor’s innings also took him past Andy Flower to become Zimbabwe’s leading ODI run-scorer. He moved to 6,837 runs, surpassing Flower’s previous tally of 6,786.
Ervine continued to anchor the innings before Shoriful Islam had him caught behind for 93, seven runs short of a century. His innings also made him the oldest player from a Test-playing nation to score in the nineties in ODIs. Shoriful struck again in his next over to dismiss Brad Evans for five.
Rishad Hossain, who conceded 58 runs in eight overs, removed Wessly Madhevere for 17. Bangladesh appeared to have a chance of restricting Zimbabwe below 250, but a late surge pushed the total beyond reach.
Newman Nyamhuri and Wellington Masakadza added 37 runs off just 26 balls for the ninth wicket. Nyamhuri made 21 off 17 balls, while Masakadza scored 21 off 15, both remaining unbeaten as Zimbabwe finished on 271-8 in 50 overs.
Taskin was Bangladesh’s leading bowler with 3-44, while Saif and Shoriful claimed two wickets apiece.
