Tigers win first T20I against Zimbabwe by 48 runs

FT ONLINE 

Bangladeshi cricket team won their first twenty 20 international (T20I) against touring Zimbabwe by 48 runs on Monday at Mirpur Sher-e-Bangla National cricket stadium.

Riding on the fiery batting efforts by Liton Das and Soumya Sarkar, the high-flying Tigers rout Zimbabwe in today’s match. And Soumya was adjudged as the man of the match for his unbeaten 62 off 32 balls with four fours and five sixes.

After losing the toss Bangladesh were sent to bat first and posted a comfortable 200 runs for three in their stipulated 20 overs against touring Zimbabwe.

In reply, Zimbabwe were bundled out for 152 runs in 19 overs to lose the match by 48 runs.

Zimbabwe were never in a position to offer a threat to the hosts as they lost veteran Brendan Taylor in the second over while replying to a big total of 200 runs.

Shafiul Islam drew first blood removing Taylor for one from five deliveries.

The tourists lost two more wickets before posting 50 runs on the board. Craig Ervine was the second to get dismissed. He fell prey to Mustafizur Rahman for eight off nine balls with one four while Wesley Madhevere sent to the dressing room trapping into a run-out.

Sean Williams and Tinashe Kamunhukamwe added 32 runs in the fourth wicket stand when Zimbabwe stuttering at 37 for three wickets. Leg-spinner Aminul Islam Biplob earned the breakthrough removing Kamunhukamwe and Williams in successive two deliveries.

Eventually, Zimbabwe tumbled for 152 all-out in 19 overs as the sealed the game by 48 runs.

Tinashe Kamunhukamwe was the highest runs scoring 28 while Sean Williams (20), Richmond Mutumbami (20), Donald Tiripano (20) and Carl Mumba (25) also contributed with the bat.

Msutafizur Rahman and Aminul Islam bagged three wickets each while Shafiul Islam, Mohammad Saifuddin and Afif Hossain took one wicket each.

Earlier, Liton continued his tremendous form as he smashed a 39-ball 59 with five fours and three sixes to help Bangladesh post a challenging total of 200 for 3 in 20 overs.

Liton hit two centuries in the three-match ODI series against Zimbabwe and earned the man of the series award. Now, he managed to bring his golden form in T20Is as well. Along with him, Soumya Sarkar struck 32-ball 62 with four fours and five sixes to help the Tigers post a big total.

Zimbabwe won the toss and sent Bangladesh to bat first. Liton Das and Tamim Iqbal posted 92 runs in the first wicket stand before Tamim fell prey to Wesley Madhevere for 41 off 33 balls with three fours and two sixes.

After Tamim’s departure, Liton and Soumya Sarkar added only 14 runs in the second wicket stand. Liton was removed by Sikandar Raza. The right-handed batsman expected the ball to turn away but it didn’t and hit his pad.

In the third wicket stand, Soumya and Mushfiqur Rahim added 40 runs. In the eight-ball short stay, Mushfiqur scored 17 with two sixes but he failed to continue as Chris Mpofu trapped him.

After Mushfiqur’s removal, Mahmudullah and Soumya added 54 runs on the board off 25 balls. Soumya remained unbeaten on 62 scoring 20 runs in the last over smashing three big sixes.

Raza, Mpofu and Wesley Madhevery scalped one wicket each in this game.

The second and final game of the series will take place on March 11 at the same venue.

Bangladesh: Tamim Iqbal, Liton Das, Mahedi Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim, Mahmudullah Riyad, Soumya Sarkar, Afif Hossain, Mohammad Saifuddin, Aminul Islam, Mustafizur Rahman, Shafiul Islam

Zimbabwe: Tinashe Kamunhukamwe, Craig Ervine, Brendan Taylor, Sikandar Raza, Sean Williams, Wesley Madhevere, Richmond Mutumbami, Donald Tiripano, Tinotenda Mutombodzi, Chris Mpofu, Carl Mumba

Umpires: Sharfuddoula (BAN), Tanvir Ahmed (BAN)

TV Umpire: Gazi Sohel (BAN)

Match Referee: Jeff Crowe (NZ)