Another all round performance from Sakib Al Hasan helped Bangladesh to beat Zimbabwe by 87 runs in the first ODI. When he came to bat Bangladesh were shaking at 31 for 3, after being sent in by Zimbabwean captain. With help from the surface, Zimbabwean bowlers were bowling in very good line and length. But Sakib started to pick up runs in the gaps.
Soon the score became 70 for 4 after Mominul played a silly shoot. After that Sakib build up a big partnership with ex ODI captain Mushfiq. They added 148 runs off 142 balls for the fifth wicket.The way they batted after the terrible start it is praise worthy. Mushfiq was a bit lucky as he was dropped twice but Sakib was flawless. Sakib went on to score 101 off 99 balls, his first century in four years.
Mushfiq scored 65 and Shabbir scored 44 off 25 with three sixes. The team managed to score 281 in 50 overs. Bangladeshi pacers then displayed another terrible start as they struggled with line and length in the beginning of the Zimbabwean innings. They scored 41 in just 4 overs.
But after that Captain Mashrafe introduced spin and since then Zimbabwe went on back foot. Again Sakib came to rescue Bangladesh, this time with the ball taking 2 wickets in the same over. He finished with 4 for 41, becoming only the 12th cricketer to score a century and take 4 wickets in the same match.
He also became the first Bangladeshi to score 2000 runs and to take 100 wickets in home country. Spinners took 8 out of 10 Zimbabwean wickets. Both the teams were poor in the field, and except for that brilliant partnership between Sakib and Mushfiq, batting was poor as well. But another positive for Bangladesh was the captaincy of Mashrafe. He was street smart with his bowling change. He used 8 bowlers and rotated them nicely. He never used a bowler for a long spell, the mistake Mushfiq did this year which cost Bangladesh couple of close matches.
These frequent bowling changes never allowed Zimbabwean batsmen to get used with the line and length of the bowlers. He also took 2 wickets including Brendon Taylor who scored 54.
After they lost that wicket of Taylor it seemed they gave up hope of winning the match and were all out for 194 in the 43rd over. Sakib was awarded man of the match.
