Liton Das (102 runs in 114 balls) and Shakib Al Hasan (5-30) helped Bangladesh beat Zimbabwe by 155 runs in the first ODI at Harare Sports Club. Riding on Das’s fourth ODI hundred, Bangladesh posted 276/9 after being invited to bat. This was Das’s first fifty-plus score after eight innings. Shakib then ran through Zimbabwe, bowling them out 121 in just 28.5 overs.
Earlier, Blessing Muzarabini (2-47) dismissed both Tamim Iqbal and Shakib (19) inside the first 10 overs to give Zimbabwe an early advantage. Mohammad Mithun (15) and Mosaddek Hossain (5) did not last either. Bangladesh were left reeling at 74/4 at this point.
Das steadied the ship by adding 93 runs with Mahmudullah (33) for the fifth wicket before the latter fell to Luke Jongwe (3-51). Afif Hossain smacked two sixes and a four in his 35-ball 45, while Mehidy Hasan Miraz hit a run-a-ball 25. Bangladesh scored 77 in the final ten overs.
Coming to chase, Zimbabwe lost two wickets early as well. Both Wesley Madhevere (9) and Tadiwanashe Marumani departed cheaply without reaching double digits. Brendan Taylor (24) and Dion Myers (18) got starts but were unable to convert them into big scores.
Shakib surpassed Mashrafe Mortaza’s tally of 269 ODI wickets when Taylor went for a sweep and mistimed completely. Taskin Ahmed caught the top edge at the short fine leg. Shakib ran through the lower order and tail-enders to register his third five-wicket haul. Having injured himself while fielding, Timycen Maruma did not bat.
Regis Chakabva (54 off 51) put a valiant effort from No. 5 but did not get much support. Zimbabwe lost their last five wickets for 16 runs before being wrapped up for 121.
Brief scores: Bangladesh 276/9 in 50 overs (Liton Das 102; Luke Jongwe 3-51) beat Zimbabwe 121 in 28.5 overs (Regis Chakabva 54; Shakib Al Hasan 5-30) by 155 runs. Player of the Match: Liton Das.