New-look Bangladesh suffer same old fate

A new-look Bangladesh were unable to turn their fortunes in T20Is as the Tigers suffered a 17-run defeat against Zimbabwe in the first T20I of the three-match series at the Harare Sports club today. 

Despite some signs of intent from skipper Nurul Hasan Sohan, Liton Das, Najmul Hossain Shanto and Anamul Haque, Bangladesh were unable to chase down Zimbabwe's daunting total of 205 for three -- highest T20I total for Zimbabwe in Harare and their second-highest total in T20Is overall. 

Richard Ngarava, who had conceded 39 runs in his first three overs, ended up bowling a tight penultimate over that remained crucial to Zimbabwe's success. Conceding just four in that over, Ngarava also removed Mosaddek Hossain to make the equation 28 needed from the final over for Bangladesh. 

From there, Bangladesh were only able to reduce the margin of defeat with skipper Sohan hitting a six -- a lucky one as his pull shot was palmed over the boundary by the fielder at midwicket -- and a four in the final over as Bangladesh were restricted to 188 for six. 

The match was considered a test for the youngsters under the new leadership of Sohan, who was made captain for the T20I series at the eleventh hour. In fact, it was only the second T20I that Bangladesh played without any of the four stalwarts. Previously, the last time that the Tigers played a T20I without any one of Shakib, Mushfiqur, Mahmudullah and Tamim was during their 65-run loss to New Zealand in Auckland in April 2021.

In chase of the imposing target, Bangladesh lost opener Munim Shahriar early when the batter chased a wide Wellington Masakadza delivery and was caught at shirt thirdman. 

However, Liton and Anamul kept Bangladesh on par with the asking rate as the Tigers amassed 60 runs in the Powerplay for the loss of the solitary wicket. But just as Liton and Anamul were getting into the groove, the former fell to a bizarre run-out in the seventh over.  

While trying to play a ramp shot off Sean Williams, Liton was caught by the fielder at short fine leg. However, just as the fielder was about to throw the ball in air to celebrate, it fell out of his grasp. The fielder soon threw the ball to the non-striker's end and Williams took the bail off with Liton having given up committing to the single thinking he was caught in the first place. 

With Liton departing after a rapid 19-ball 32 and a 58-run stand with Anamul, Bangladesh saw their scoring rate take a hit. And Anamul too fell in the 10th over when the right-hander, after having swept Sikandar Raza for a maximum, tried to follow it up with yet another six and was caught at deep midwicket after a 27-ball 26. 

Skipper Sohan scored a career-best 26-ball 42, laced with four maximums and a boundary, and stitched quick-fire stands of 40 and 32 runs with Shanto (37 off 25) and Mosaddek Hossain for the fourth-wicket and fifth-wicket, respectively, as he briefly raised hopes for a dramatic ending to the game. 

However, their efforts went in vain as Zimbabwe eventually ensured a comprehensive victory. 

Earlier, unbeaten fifties from Sikandar Raza and Wessly Madhevere saw Zimbabwe post a daunting total.