Bangladesh 9-273 in ODI v Zimbabwe

Bangladesh beat Zimbabwe by 145 runs in their first one-day global on Saturday to take an early lead in the three-match series. “We will come hard and we will have to play our best cricket”.

Elton Chigumbura completed his 4000 runs in the ODIs and he was the only one who showed a few mettle in the middle.

In the three series wins against Pakistan, India and South Africa, Bangladesh benefited a lot from the start Tamim Iqbal and Soumya Sarkar gave the hosts.

Mushfiqur Rahim also starred with the bat in the Bangladeshi capital as he posted his fourth ODI century.

Sarkar is sidelined with a side strain and has been replaced by Imrul Kayes. The innings mostly had grounded shots, with eight fours and a six. Kayes made a promising 56 against the Zimbabweans to increase his chances of opening in the first match.

Paceman Kamrul Islam Rabbi, meanwhile, is set to debut after he was the only uncapped player included in the 14-man squad. The promising pacer will have to compete for a spot in the playing XI with Al-Amin Hossain.

Bangladesh’s one-day captain Mashrafe Mortaza remains doubtful for the first match since he is yet to regain full fitness after suffering from dengue fever.

The hosts have not lost a home series to Zimbabwe since 2001 and routed the minnows 5-0 past year to spark a remarkable winning streak. To add to the pressure, Zimbabwe don’t have fond memories of touring Bangladesh. “The most important thing for us is to pick ourselves up and focus on Bangladesh”, he said ahead of the match.

Rahman and Rahim combined for 119 and the partnership was key in helping Bangladesh cruise to a good total despite Zimbabwe’s bowlers taking a flurry of wickets after Rahman’s dismissal. While the bowling looked somewhat rusty, Craig Ervine, Sean Williams and Chigumbura struck half-centuries.

If Zimbabwe play to the promise and the potential they displayed in the warm-up game, the series could see a cracking contest.

In response, Luke Jongwe (39) steadied the ship for Zimbabwe after fellow opener Chamu Chibhabha (nine) became the first of Shakib’s five victims for 47 runs.

Liton Das was promoted to open for Bangladesh with Tamim Iqbal – his 13th opening partner – but was out without scoring after Jongwe ended his six-ball uncomfortable stay at the crease.