CHITTAGONG (Bangladesh), Nov 23: Craig Wishart struck an unbeaten 79 on Friday to give Zimbabwe an untroubled five-wicket victory over Bangladesh in the opening match of a three-game one-day series.

Zimbabwe, replying to Bangladesh’s paltry 156 all out in 48.4 overs, scored 161 for the loss of five wickets in 42.2.

The visitors lost three quick wickets before captain Stuart Carlisle (46 run out) and Wishart steadied the innings and put Zimbabwe in sight of victory.

Wishart, who hit 114 against Bangladesh in the second test in Chittagong, hit 11 boundaries and two sixes from 87 balls.

Earlier tight Zimbabwe pace bowling restricted Bangladesh as the batsmen struggled on a damp pitch after overnight fog.

Only Habibul Bashar (44) and Khaled Masud (40 run out) offered any prolonged resistance with Travis Friend taking three for 25 from nine overs. Gary Brent finished with three for 29 from 10 overs.

Friend dismissed opener Al-Shahriar caught behind by Andy Flower for 13 with the last delivery of the fourth over then bowled Tushar Imran for six.

Mohammad Asharful was run out for 13 as he attempted a quick single to mid-on where Brent was quick to whip the ball back to Flower.

Bangladesh were deep in trouble at 59 for five before Bashar and Masud added 50 for the sixth wicket to take their team past the 100 mark.

But after they departed, Bangladesh were again in trouble and the home team were eventually dismissed with eight balls still remaining.

The team will meet again in Dhaka in Sunday.