ZIMBABWE beat Bangladesh by 17 runs in the first game of the three-match T20I series thanks to the magnificent batting from the top order and some disciplined death bowling from the seamers.
With the win, the Chevrons go on a six-match winning streak following their recent triumphant at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Qualifier B in Bulawayo.
The locals ended the tournament in Bulawayo unbeaten after five matches to lift the trophy and, more importantly, qualify for the T20 World Cup scheduled for Australia between October 16 and November 13 this year.
Yesterday, Chevrons captain Craig Ervine elected to bat after winning the toss. The call proved worthwhile after the hosts posted 205 runs for the loss of three wickets in their allotted overs.
The player of the match, Sikandar Raza, continued with his fine form in the T20 Qualifiers in Bulawayo as he scored a whirlwind 65 runs from 26 balls.
The all-rounders knock comprised seven boundaries and four huge sixes as he mercilessly took on the Bangladesh bowling attack together with Wessly Madhevere.
Raza flexed his muscle in Zimbabwe’s penultimate over, launching Bangladesh pacer Mossadek Hossain for a four and two huge maximums, much to the delight of a full house at the ground.
Madhevere hoisted his bat after reaching his half-century but retired on 67 after pulling his muscle in a quick single with Raza in the eventful penultimate over.
Sean Williams and Ervine added 33 runs and 21 runs, respectively, as Zimbabwe gave themselves a huge chance to win with a good score.
Bangladesh seamers Mustafizur Rahman and Hossain took two wickets and one, respectively.
Zimbabwe opened their defence positively with spinner Wellington Masakadza striking in the second over.
He had Tigers opener Murim Shahriar caught at short third man by Tanaka Chivanga. They conceded just one run Masakadza complemented Richard Ngarava’s first over that went for five runs.
Tigers captain Nurul Hasan was unbeaten on 42 from 26 balls as Zimbabwe’s death bowling reigned supreme, led by Ngarava, who used the wide yorker to perfection in the penultimate over. Ngarava gave away just four runs and the wicket of Mossadek, who Milton Shumba caught at backward point on the last ball of the over.
Bangladesh needed 28 runs to win off the last over, and with Nurul on the attack, it was still game on.
Chivanga was entrusted with the final over and started with a dot ball. The following delivery conceded four leg byes, and the equation stood at 24 runs needed off four balls which were still possible.
The third ball looked like a straight catch to Masakadza at deep midwicket, but somehow, the ball kissed his palms into the grandstand for six. There was anxiety on the faces of the fans, but Chivanga redeemed himself by bowling three dot balls on the trot to defend Zimbabwe’s total.
The next match is this afternoon, with Zimbabwe looking to wrap off the series while the Tigers want to claw back and level the series 1-1 and force it into a series decider on Tuesday.
