A scintillating bowling performance helped Bangladesh brush Zimbabwe aside in the first Women's ODI of three-match series on 10 November, in Bulawayo. They dismissed Zimbabwe for 48 in 23.2 overs, and reached the target with eight wickets in hand.
Jahanara Alam (3-18), Salma Khatun (3-6) and Nahida Akter (3-2) shared nine wickets to skittle Zimbabwe for a paltry total in the latter's fifth ever ODI. Ritu Moni took the other wicket, of Chiedza Dhururu. They bowled nine maidens.
Zimbabwe suffered a major blow just before the match. Star all-rounder Josephine Nkomo picked up an injury during warm-up, and made herself unavailable for the match. Dhururu replaced her.
Asked to bat, Zimbabwe lost Ashley Ndiraya to Alam in the third over. They never really put up any resistance, and kept losing wickets in regular intervals. Precious Marange top-scored in their innings, with a 30-ball 17, but the others could not even cross 6.
Bangladesh were reduced to 21/2 during the chase, but Fargana Hoque (11*) and Rumana Ahmed (16*) saw them through 11th over.
The two sides will again meet on 13 November, for the second ODI at the same venue.
Brief scores: Zimbabwe Women 48 in 23.2 overs (Precious Marange 17; Nahida Akter 3-2) lost to Bangladesh Women 49/2 in 10.4 overs (Rumana Ahmed 16*; Precious Marange 1-11) by 8 wickets with 236 balls to spare.