DHAKA: Imrul Kayes’ 144-run knock proved to be the difference as Bangladesh defeated Zimbabwe by 28 runs in the first One-day International at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium on Sunday.

Kayes’ blinding innings, off 140 deliveries, got Bangladesh out of trouble as the hosts recovered after wobbling in the middle of the innings to post 271-8 before they restricted Zimbabwe to 243-9.

All-rounder Mohammad Saifuddin also scored a 69-ball 50 and contributed to Bangladesh’s cause with a 127-run seventh-wicket partnership with Kayes after they were lost six wickets for 137 runs.

Kayes, who struck 13 fours and six sixes, was also involved in a decent 71-run fourth-wicket stand with Mohammad Mithun (37) after skipper Mashrafe Mortaza won the toss and elected to bat first.

Zimbabwe captain Hamilton Masakadza and Cephas Zhuwao had given them a bright start in their chase before an in-swinger from Mustafizur Rahman castled Zhuwao after a brisk 24-ball 35.

Zimbabwe slumped to four for 88 as Spinner Nazmul Islam got in on the act, removing Brendon Taylor and Sikandar Raza while Masakadza fell to a run out.

A late flourish from Sean William (50 off 58 balls) and Kyle Jarvis (33 off 37 deliveries) wasn’t enough with off-spinner Mehidy Hasan claimng a career best 3-46 for Bangladesh.

Scoreboard

BANGLADESH:

Liton Das c Zhuwao b Chatara 4
Imrul Kayes c Moor b Jarvis 144
Fazle Mahmud c Taylor b Chatara 0
Mushfiqur Rahim c Taylor b Mavuta 15
Mohammad Mithun c Taylor b Jarvis 37
Mahmudullah c Taylor b Jarvis 0
Mehedi Hasan c Taylor b Jarvis 1
M. Saifuddin c Mavuta b Chatara 50
Mashrafe Mortaza not out 2
Mustafizur Rahman not out 1

EXTRAS (B-1, LB-1, W-14, NB-1) 17

TOTAL (for eight wkts, 50 overs) 271

FALL OF WKTS: 1-16, 2-17, 3-66, 4-137, 5-137, 6-139, 7-266, 8-267.

DID NOT BAT: Nazmul Islam.

BOWLING: Jarvis 9-1-37-4; Chatara 10-1-55-3 (1nb, 4w); Tiripano 10-0-60-0 (3w); Mavuta 8-0-48-1 (4w); Sikandar Raza 6-0-37-0; Williams 7-0-32-0 (3w).

ZIMBABWE:

H. Masakadza run out 21
C. Zhuwao b Mustafizur 35
B.R.M. Taylor b Nazmul 5
C.R. Ervine c Mehedi b Mehedi 24
Sikandar Raza b Nazmul 7
S.C. Williams not out 50
P.J. Moor lbw b Mehedi 26
D.T. Tiripano run out 2
B. Mavuta c and b Mehedi 20
K.M. Jarvis c Mushfiqur b Mahmudullah 37
T.L. Chatara not our 2

EXTRAS (B-3, LB-3, W-7, NB-1) 14

TOTAL (for nine wkts, 50 overs) 243

FALL OF WKTS: 1-48, 2-59, 3-63, 4-88, 5-100, 6-145, 7-148, 8-169, 9-236.

BOWLING: Mashrafe Mortaza 10-0-55-0 (1nb, 1w); Mehedi Hasan 10-0-46-3; Mustafizur Rahman 8-1-29-1 (3w); Nazmul Islam 8-0-38-2 (1w); Mohammad Saifuddin 7-1-29-0; Mahmudullah 4-0-24-1; Fazle Mahmud 3-0-16-0.

RESULT: Bangladesh won by 28 runs to lead three-match series 1-0.

UMPIRES: Sharfuddoula (Bangladesh) and H.D.P.K. Dharmasena (Sri Lanka).

TV UMPIRE: R.J. Tucker (Australia).

MATCH REFEREE: D.C. Boon (Australia).

MAN-OF-THE-MATCH: Imrul Kayes.

SECOND MATCH: Chittagong (D/N), Wednesday.

THIRD MATCH: Chittagong (D/N), Friday.

Published in Dawn, October 22nd, 2018