Image Courtesy- Times of India
Guest Bangladesh trampled Zimbabwe by 8 wickets in the first T20 match played at Harare Sports Club, Harare on July,22. With this, Bangladesh has taken a 1-0 lead in the three-match series. The next two matches of the series will be played on 23 and 25 July at the same Stadium. Bangladesh has previously won the Test and then the ODI series against the host.
Zimbabwe won the toss and chose to bat first, set a target of 153 runs against Bangladesh, thanks to the fine innings of Regis Chakabva (43). Regis Chakabwa scored 43 runs in 22 balls with the help of five fours and two sixes which helped Zimbabwe to reach defending total of 152 runs in 19 overs. In Zimbabwe’s innings, Dion Myers scored 35, Wesley Madhevere scored 23 and Luke Jongwe scored 18 runs. No other batsman could reach double digits.
Mustafizur Rahman took three wickets for Bangladesh, while Mohammad Saifuddin and Shoriful Islam took two wickets each. Shakib Al Hasan and Soumya Sarkar got one wicket each. Chasing the target, Bangladesh openers Mohammad Naim and Soumya Sarkar got off to a great start. There was a 102-run partnership for the first wicket in 13.1 overs between the two, which brought the team closer to victory.
Soumya Sarkar who scored 50 runs with the help of 6 boundaries in 45 balls got run out. After his return to the pavilion, Mohammad Naim took the lead along with captain Mahmudullah, but coming very close to victory, Mahmudullah (15) was run out. after which Naim remained unbeaten and took his team to the victory in 18.5 overs. Naim played sensational innings of 66 runs in 51 balls with the help of 7 fours. No bowler could take a wicket from the opposition team.