DHAKA, March 9, 2020 (BSS) – Bangladesh made a winning-start to the two-match T20 series in their quest to complete a tour sweep after crushing Zimbabwe by a whopping 48-run margin in the first match at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium on Monday.
Soumya Sarkar and Liton Das came up with their ruthless best to guide Bangladesh to a daunting 200-3 after which bowlers also played their part well by dismissing Zimbabwe for 152 in 19 overs.
Soumya smashed his career-best 32 ball-62 not out, clobbering four fours and fives while Liton Das smoked 59 off 39 with five fours and three sixes as Bangladesh posted their highest total against Zimbabwe, eclipsing 175-7 in Chattogram last year in a tri-nation tournament. This was also their third best T20 total.
After being asked to bat first, Liton Das and Tamim Iqbal gave Bangladesh a fluent start, sharing 92-run partnership, also the best opening partnership in their shortest format of cricket.
Tamim Iqbal, who was appointed as new ODI captain of Bangladesh, made a 33 ball-41, hitting three fours and two sixes before debutant Wesley Madhevere dismissed him for his maiden T20 wicket.
Sikandar Raza then stalled Bangladesh’s progress, having removed Liton Das after he brought up his third T20 fifty, forcing Bangladesh to loss two openers in the space of 14 runs.
Mushfiqur Rahim though kept up the run flowing when Soumya made a slow start. However Chris Mpofu had Mushfiqur caught by Sean Williams after his 17 off eight deliveries, leaving Bangladesh 146-3 in 16th over.
After Mushfiqur’s departure, there was doubt whether Bangladesh could take the score past 200 but Soumya’s blistering knock quelled all the apprehension.
He and skipper Mahmudullah Riyad took the Zimbabwe bowlers in disdain to share 54 off just 25 for an unbroken fourth wicket stand to help Bangladesh finally touch 200 runs mark.
Soumya in fact struck 19 runs of 20 in the last over including three sixes to help Bangladesh’s cause and also brought up his only second T20 half-century.
Zimbabwe made a dazzling start as opener Tinashe Kamunhukmawi smote Mustafizur Rahman consecutive boundaries in the first two balls.
But they couldn’t keep it flowing with Shafiul Islam providing the breakthrough, dismissing Brendan Taylor for 1 while Mustafizur came back style to get the better of Craig Ervine (8).
Wesely Madhevere, the young man who was the most consistent batsman for Zimbabwe in ODI series was run out for 4, leaving Zimbabwe at precarious 37-3. Leg-spinner Aminul Islam Biplob however virtually threw Zimbabwe away from the match by dismissing Kamunhukmawi and captain Sean Williams in consecutive deliveries.
Kamunhukmawi and Williams shared 32-run for the fourth wicket, the biggest for Zimbabwe in their innings.
Kamunhukmawi however with 28 was the team’s highest scorer. Williams made 20. Biplob then removed Tinotenda Mutumbodzi (2) to finish with his career-best 3-34.
Donald Tiripano hit three sixes to make 13 ball-20 while No. 10 batsman Carl Mumba struck a whirlwind 16 ball-25 but that only reduced the margin of defeat.
Mustafizur Rahman who wrapped up Zimbabwe’s innings by getting rid of Mumba claimed 3-32.
The second T20 and final match of series is on Wednesday.