e-News® | The NEWS Company…DHAKA, Nov 7, 2015 : A brilliant ton by Mushfiqur Rahim along with Shakib Al Hasan’s 5-wicket haul enabled Bangladesh to take 1-0 lead in the three-match ODI series as they crushed visiting Zimbabwe by 145 runs in the first ODI held on Saturday at the Sher-e- Bangla National Cricket Stadium at Mirpur. Chasing a winning target of 274 runs set by Bangladesh, Zimbabwe faced early batting jolt losing wickets in regular intervals and finally all out for 128 in 36.1 overs.
The last batsman of Zimbabwe innings wicket keeper Richmond Mutumbami was absent hurt. Thanks to Shakib for his five-wicket haul that helped Bangladesh to earn an emphatic victory after Mushfiqur paved the way for the hosts with an impressive knock of 107 run. For Zimbabwe Elton Chigumbura top scored with 41 runs while Luke Jongwe added 39 for the visitors.
Shakib, who was shine with ball, threatened early inroad on Zimbabwe innings picking up wickets and did not give any chance to Zimbabwe batsman to build a pair chasing the target. Bangladesh ace all-rounder finished his spell with 5 for 47 runs in from his allotted 10 overs while skipper Mashrafe Mortaza supported him with two wickets conceding 13 runs. After the match, Bangladesh skipper Mashrafe said: “I am still not 100% but I have worked hard. I am happy the team is winning and winning is a good habit. Mushfiq the run machine stepped up. I thought it was a good total and once again the bowling was brilliant with Shakib. He got five wickets first time and I like to congratulate him and hopeful, we keep it going.”
Mushfiqur Rahim was named the player of the match for his brilliant batting performance. Mushfiqur in his immediate reaction said, “We needed a big partnership. Credit went to Tamim and Liton also chipped in. It made easier for me. Zimbabwean skipper Elton Chigumbura said, “The way we played today we made a lot of mistakes and gave away boundaries towards the end. We then kept losing wickets. Obviously, a lot of work needs to be done. It was a good decision to bowl first but we did not take the opportunity. We did not apply ourselves when we went out to bat. Other than Jongwe, we did not play ourselves in.”
Earlier, a brilliant century by Mushfiqur Rahim and a supporting 57-ball knock by Sabbir Rahman steered Bangladesh to post a challenging total of 273 for 9 from their allotted 50 overs, after they were forced to bat first by Zimbabwe. The hosts looked steady after Mushfiqur and Sabbir took control following initial pressure from visiting Zimbabwe. The diminutive wicket keeper Mushfiqur completed his fourth hundred and the second 50 against Zimbabwe while Sabbir gave a brilliant support bagging his second half century after the hosts were down in 123 for 4. When Bangladesh fell into a deep trouble losing four quick wickets, Mushfiq and Sabbir took the responsibility to repair the early lose contributing 119 runs for the 5th wicket stand to take the team’s to a comfortable position.
The stubborn partnership was finally broken by Cremer lasered’s direct hit to send back Sabbir for 57 in the 46h over. In the next over, Nasir followed Sabbir without disturbing the score board while Mushfiq also returned to the dressing room fell victim of run out in the same over of the third ball. Mushfiq’s impressive 107-run from 109-ball furnished with nine boundaries and one over boundary.
Earlier, the visitors put Bangladesh under pressure, forcing the hosts to score slow early of the match as Luke Jongwe struck in the last ball of the second over taking the wicket of opener Liton Das for duck. All-rounder Mahmudullah then came down to the crease though he was failed to pair with Tamim Iqbal recovering the loss of Liton. Tinashe Panyangara sent back to Mahmudullah for only 9 taking off stumps in the third ball of the ninth over with a superb inswinger.
Later, Tamim and Mushfiq paired up in the middle to reduce some pressure for Bangladesh with a solid 70 run partnership, Tamim went for the big shot and ended up in the hands of Jongwe in long on. Spinner Sikandar Raza lured Tamim for the shot and snatched away the light of a half century. Tamim scored 40.
Bangladesh all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan (16 off 21 ball) followed the footprint of Mahmudullah as he failed to take responsibility when the team is under pressure. Sikandar Raza and Taurai Muzarabani were the most successful bowlers for Zimbabwe picking up two wickets each for 47 and 64 runs respectively. The second day/night ODI between the two sides will be played on Monday (November 9) at the same venue.
