Tigers stamp their authority

Bangladesh proved to be vastly superior to Zimbabwe as the hosts faced a comprehensive 155-run defeat after Liton Das struck a brilliant century to help the Tigers in taking the first foot forward in the first of the three-match ODI series in Harare yesterday.

In reply to Bangladesh's 276-run target, Zimbabwe surrendered on 121 for nine with tailender Timysen Maruma unable to bat. Shakib Al Hasan picked up his third five-wicket haul in ODI cricket conceding 30 runs from 9.5 overs.

With this win, Bangladesh registered 10 points in the ICC Men's World Cup Super League and sit in second position behind England with 60 points.

Before the game, Shakib was level with Tigers' former captain Mashrafe Bin Mortaza as the highest wicket-taker for Bangladesh in ODIs with 269 wickets. And when Shakib dismissed skipper Brendan Taylor to pick up his first wicket of the game, the champion spinner had surpassed Mashrafe and thus added another feather to the crown of his illustrious career.

Regis Chakabva's 54 was the highest score for the Chevrons, whereas skipper Taylor who played his 200th ODI scored 24 runs, as the hosts kept losing wickets at regular intervals.

Earlier, Bangladesh were in a spot of bother after being sent in to bat on seaming conditions. The visitors faced the first blow when skipper Tamim Iqbal departed for naught, having edged a Blessing Muzarabani delivery in the third over. Tamim now holds an unwanted record for the most number of ducks for the Tigers in ODI (19) and across all formats (34) as well.

Bangladesh continued to struggle as Shakib carried his shaky form with the bat, and despite starting off the innings with a gorgeous straight drive, he was dismissed for 19.

Then Mohammad Mithun, coming in at number four in place of Mushfiqur Rahim also failed to utilise the opportunity and departed for 19 as well.

The visitors were in deep trouble on 74 for four before Liton paired up with Mahmudullah Riyad to add 93 runs for the fifth wicket. Although Mahmudullah departed for 33, Liton went on and slowly accelerated his innings and paired with Afif Hossain as Bangladesh were eyeing to post a big total.

Liton was eventually dismissed, after reaching his fourth hundred, for 102 off 114 balls. However, the wicket-keeper batsman had hurt his wrist while batting and that meant Nurul Hasan had to feature as the substitute wicket-keeper.

Afif then played a cameo of 45 runs off 35 balls while Mehedi Hasan Miraz scored 26 off 25 balls as Bangladesh added 48 runs in the last five overs of the innings.