Zakir Hasan struck a brilliant century as Bangladesh Emerging Team beat Zimbabwe A by 85 runs in the first ODI of the three match series at Shaheed Chandu Stadium in Bogura on Monday.
The Bangladesh captain made 119 from 97 balls. He hit nine fours and five sixes. Iftakher Hossain added 70, while Amit Hasan, Yasir Ali Chowdhury and Samiun Basir Ratul also made useful contributions.
Bangladesh posted a strong total of 364 after being sent in to bat.
Zimbabwe A fought hard in the chase through Wesley Madhevere. The middle order batter scored 116 runs with 13 fours and three sixes. However, he found little support from the other end as the visitors were bowled out for 279.
Zimbabwe made a positive start. Innocent Kaia and Matthew Campbell shared a 60 run opening stand. Alis Al Islam broke the partnership by trapping Kaia lbw. He then dismissed Tadiwanashe Marumani in his next over.
Rohanat Doullah Borson removed Antum Naqvi before Samiun struck twice. He dismissed Campbell after the opener scored 52 and later bowled Roy Kaia. Zimbabwe slipped to 116 for five.
Madhevere tried to keep the chase alive. He reached his fifty from 54 balls and completed his century in 86 deliveries. He needed only 32 balls to move from fifty to a hundred.
His effort was not enough. Abdul Gaffar Saqlain dismissed him in the 49th over to end Zimbabwe’s innings.
Borson and Samiun took three wickets each. Alis finished with two.
Earlier, Bangladesh lost Shahadat Hossain in the third over. Zakir and Iftakher then rebuilt the innings with a 158 run stand for the second wicket.
Iftakher made 70 from 65 balls. His innings included six fours and three sixes. He reached his fifty from just 42 deliveries.
Zakir brought up his half century from 47 balls. He later completed his hundred from 84 deliveries. He also added 62 runs with Amit Hasan to keep Bangladesh in control.
After Zakir’s dismissal, Amit scored 31 and Yasir added 34. Samiun Basir Ratul then provided a late burst. He smashed 41 from only 18 balls with three fours and three sixes.
The win gave Bangladesh a 1-0 lead in the three match series.
