Zimbabwe’s all-rounder Sikandar Raza’s unbeaten 65 runs knock with the bat and a wicket at a crucial time with the bowl helped the hosts to win the first T20I of the 3-match series at the Harare Sports Club, Harare.
Raza came into bat when Zimbabwe was not even crossed the 100 mark, but his blistering innings of 65 off just 26 with the help of seven fours and four sixes guide his side cross the 200 mark, which the visitors failed to chase and lost the game by 17 runs.
Zimbabwe Vs Bangladesh 1st T20 Match Highlights
Earlier, after winning the toss the hosts opted to bat, but they lost their both openers early to put the team in pressure.
Wesley Madhevere and Seam Williams then soaked some pressure by doing a healthy 66-run partnership for the third wicket in just 37 balls before later walked back into pavilion after scoring a quick fire 33 off 19.
Then came the veteran Sikandar Raza on crease and as soon as he enters, he started to smash the ball all around the park. He played with a strike rate of 250 and left the visitors in deep thought of how to get rid from him.
Along with Raza, Wesley Madhevere also there playing a destructive knock. He walked back to the pavilion as the highest run scorer for his side with 67 off 46, courtesy of nine fours.
During the third ball of the final over of Zimbabwe innings, Madhevere had hurt himself while diving at the non-strikers end and this retired hurt. Raza, continued his fine run, on the other end, and smashed 2 fours and a maximum on the final three to guide Zimbabwe to 205 for 3 in 20 overs.
In reply, Bangladesh faced a dreary start after losing first wicket for just 5, but Liton Das and Anamul Haque steadied the visitors’ ship very effectively and recorded 58 for the second wicket in just 33 balls before Das was unfortunately run out.
Haque, who was looking in good touch in chase was removed by Raza to provide his side a much needed breakthrough.
The skipper Nurul Hasan tried his best to chase the target by playing a 42-run knock of 26, but it wasn’t enough to cross the winning the mark as Bangladesh lost the first game by 17 runs.
The second T20 of the series will take place on July 31 at the same venue.
