Burl crashes Tigers’ party

There was a rain delay and a power failure which forced the floodlights at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur to go out for about five minutes as T20I cricket returned after ten months in the opening game of the tri-nation T20I series between Bangladesh and Zimbabwe yesterday.

Following a 90-minute delay due to a wet outfield, the game, which was slated to start at 6:30pm, was curtailed to an 18-over-a-side game.

Despite struggling initially after losing the toss and being sent in to bat, Zimbabwe bounced back courtesy of a blistering unbeaten 32-ball 57 from left-hander Ryan Burl, who incredibly smote three sixes and three fours to plunder 30 runs from the 16th over bowled by Shakib. That gave the visitors plenty of momentum and they added 63 runs in the last four overs of the game, going from 95 for five at the end of the 15th over to posting a challenging total of 144 for 5 after 18 overs.

Shakib became the second-most expensive Bangladesh bowler in an over behind Saifuddin, who conceded 31 against South Africa in 2017.

The experienced campaigner, who gave away just 19 runs from his first three overs, ended up hemorrhaging 49 runs from his four overs. Tinotenda Mutombodzi held down the other end, unbeaten for a 26-ball 26, as he stitched an 81-run sixth-wicket stand with Burl.

However, the Tigers had started well with the ball and also on the field.

Left-arm spinner Taijul Islam, who made his T20I debut yesterday, became the first Bangladeshi to get a wicket with their first delivery as the home side dominated Zimbabwe to start proceedings.

The 27-year-old, coming in to bowl the second over, removed Brendon Taylor, who went for a slog sweep and only managed to get a top edge after scoring six runs.

Mustafizur Rahman removed Craig Ervine for eleven with a short ball and the other bowlers were quite disciplined.

Saifuddin removed Zimbabwean skipper Hamilton Masakadza for a 26-ball 34 after Sabbir Rahman took a sharp catch at mid-off.

Mosaddek Hossain also picked up a wicket with his first ball of the match, taking a return catch to dismiss Sean Williams and Shakib was also sharp in running out Timycen Maruma until the late launch from Burl changed the scenario.