Imrul Kayes’ magnificent 144 off 140 balls steered Bangladesh to a challenging 271-run total in their stipulated 50 overs
Bangladesh won the first ODI by 28 runs against visiting Zimbabwe, riding on Imrul Kayes’ career-best 144-run knock, in Mirpur’s Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Dhaka Sunday. Imrul’s magnificent 144 off 140 balls steered Bangladesh to a challenging 271-run total in their stipulated 50 overs.
Chasing 272, Zimbabwe managed to score 243 losing nine wickets in their allotted 50 overs. Zimbabwe openers Hamilton Masakadza and Cephas Zhuwao made a quickfire and confident start as they put on 48 in seven overs.
Left-arm pacer Mustafizur Rahman broke the partnership in the first ball of the eighth over when Zhuwao was cleaned up after missing an incoming delivery. Zhuwao departed for 35 off just 24 balls with four fours and two sixes.
Zimbabwe lost regular wickets from there, and at one stage, were reduced to 169-8 after 40 overs. Late runs from Sean Williams (50 off 58 balls) and Kyle Jarvis (37 off 33 deliveries) gave slight hope to Zimbabwe, but eventually that just reduced the margin of defeat.
Off-spinner Mehedi Hasan Miraz took three wickets for the Tigers while left-arm spinner Nazmul Islam bagged two.
Earlier, Bangladesh captain Mashrafe bin Mortaza elected to bat first. The Tigers handed Fazle Rabbi Mahmud a debut while all-rounder Saifuddin also returned to the playing XI.
Openers Liton Kumar Das and Imrul Kayes began the innings for Bangladesh cautiously. Zimbabwe missed a run out chance of Liton and dropped a catch of Imrul within five overs.
But success came for Zimbabwe in the first ball of the sixth over as seamer Tendai Chatara took the wicket of Liton (four off 14 balls). Fazle came out to bat in the crucial No 3 position but could not adorn his debut as he was caught behind for a nought off a Chatara delivery that rose from good length.
Bangladesh were slightly on the backfoot when they lost the wicket of No 4 batsman Mushfiqur Rahim in the last ball of the 16th over. Mushfiq was caught behind the stumps scoring 15 off 20 balls.
Imrul was batting well at the other end and formed a 71-run partnership with No 5 batsman Mohammad Mithun for the fourth wicket. Bangladesh were going well and at one stage were batting on 137/3 in 27 overs.
But Zimbabwe pacer Kyle Jarvis bowled a superb spell of two overs where he picked up three crucial wickets without conceding any run to get Zimbabwe right back into the game. Jarvis took the wicket of Mithun (37 off 40 balls), Mahmudullah (nought) and Miraz (one).
The home side were struggling at that point as the scoreboard read 139/6 inside the 30th over. But Imrul was rock solid at the other end and stitched together a brilliant 127-run partnership with Saifuddin for the seventh wicket.
This is the highest seventh-wicket partnership for Bangladesh against any opponent. Eventually, Imrul smashed 144 with 13 fours and half a dozen sixes.
The left-handed opener got out in the second last over of the innings and anchored his team to a commanding total of 271. The blistering knock is certainly one of the best innings for Imrul as he managed to hold his nerve when Bangladesh lost quick wickets.
He also accelerated quite brilliantly in the slog overs. Imrul dedicated his century to his new born baby with an ecstatic celebration when he reached the three-figure mark.
Saifuddin also played a brilliant innings and scored his maiden fifty during the late period of the innings. He gave perfect support to Imrul and scored 50 off 69 balls with three fours and one six.
Jarvis was the best bowler for Zimbabwe with four wickets conceding 37 runs while Chatara notched three. Imrul was adjudged man of the match for his superb century.
The second ODI of the three-match series will be played in Chittagong’s Zahur Ahemd Chowdhury Cricket Stadium Wednesday.
1ST ODI
Zimbabwe 243/9 (Williams 50, Miraz 3/46) lost to Bangladesh 271/8 (Imrul 144, Saifuddin 50) by 28 runs
HIGHEST BANGLADESHI SCORERS IN ODIS
Player Runs Balls Opp Ground Year
Tamim Iqbal 154 138 Zimbabwe Bulawayo 2009
Mushfiqur Rahim 144 150 Sri Lanka Dubai 2018
Imrul Kayes 144 140 Zimbabwe Dhaka 2018
Source: Dhaka Tribune.
