Dhaka — Zimbabwe posted 144 for five against Bangladesh in the opening match of the Tri-Nation T20 Series at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur with captain Shakib Al Hasan conceded an expensive 30 runs in the his last over, which is his most expensive over in T20Is.
The match was reduced to 18-over aside due to rain.Ryan Burl hit three sixes and as many fours in last overs of Shakib Al Hasan. Bangladesh captain completed his four spell conceding 49 runs.
The Zimbabwe innings was interrupted by a sudden power cut at 9:17 pm and the match remained stopped for nine minutes.
Bangladesh started well as Taijul Islam, the debutant, removed Brendan Taylor for six. The former Zimbabwean captain went to sweep Taijul but ended skying the ball. He fell into the trap of turn off Taijul. Mahmudullah Riyad took a regulation catch at short third man area.
However, Zimbabwe managed the initial damage with care as the posted 48 runs inside the power play riding on the bat of Hamilton Masakadza. He hit 30 off 20 balls with five fours and one six in the power play.
In the very next over after the power play, Mustafiuzur Rahman removed Craig Ervine for 11 off 15 as Mosaddek Hossain picked up a wonderful catch at the deep. The ball was short and Ervine tried to pull it off to the boundary but failed to execute properly.
Zimbabwe failed to continue their inspiring start as they lost five wickets just in 66 runs. They lost the third wicket when Masakadza drive to the mid-wicket and SabbirRahman took a stunner off Mohammad Saifuddin.
Zimbabwe captain posted 34 off 26 before falling prey to Saifuddin in eighth over. In the very first ball of next over off Mosaddek, Sean Williams prodded a return catch and got dismissed for two.
But in the sixth wicket stand, Zimbabwe added 81 runs with the help of TinotendaMutombodzi and Ryan Burl. Tinotenda remained not out for 27 while Burl remained unbeaten for 57 off 32 balls, hitting only fifty for Zimbabwe in the innings.For Bangladesh, Taijul, Saifuddin, Mustafiz and Mosaddek took one wicket each.UNB
