Tigers smash Zimbabwe in ODI series opener

Imrul Kayes stars in the first bilateral ODI of the three-match series between Bangladesh and Zimbabwe as Tigers beat visitors by 28 runs on Sunday at Sher-e-Bangla national cricket stadium, Dhaka.
Imrul Kayes played a 144 runs' career best innings from 140 deliveries. He ornamented his innings with 13 boundaries and six over the top shots. Kayes dedicated his epic innings to his new born son.
Earlier, Bangladesh won the toss and there was nothing to surprise but choose batting first in the fogy under light match. Tigers batter proved their captain right by set a 272 target for the visitors.
Liton Das failed to carry his Asia Cup final form on, who went out in the sixth over of the innings scoring four runs. Debutant Fazle Rabbi followed Liton in the same over of Tendai Chatara. Rabbi failed to fabricate his maiden ODI innings, who went dug out with 'golden duck' beside his name.
The two early wickets created pressure on Bangladesh, which initially released by Imrul-Mushfiq's 4th wicket stand of 44 runs. But amateur sweep from Mushi to the outside leg stump delivery resulted the unnecessary third wicket fall of Bangladesh.
Mohammad Mithun (37) accompanied Imrul Kayes nicely at the fourth wicket partnership of Bangladesh innings. The duo collected very crucial 71 runs. But devastating second spell of Kyle Jervis crashed Bangladesh middle order. He picked up the wickets of Mithun, Mahmudullah and Mahedi Miraz.
Mahmudullah went scoring nothing and Miraz score one run before being preyed by Jervis. But the lucrative part of the match from Tigers point of view was, of course, the Imrul-Saifuddin's record breaking seventh wicket pair. The duo accumulated 127 runs together. Previous highest seventh wicket Tigers partnership had been occupied by Mushfiqur Rahim and Nayeem Islam, they set a 101 partnership record in 2008 against New Zealand.
The best finding of the day for hosts was the all-round performance from the newcomer Saifuddin. The pace bowling all-rounder, who is under BCB's consideration as Mashrafe's replacement, had justified to his name. Saifuddin got only 30 runs from his previous three ODI appearances but got maiden fifty (50 from 6 deliveries) at fourth time with the bat. He bowled seven overs and conceded 29 runs only.
Playing stipulated 50 overs, Bangladesh, however, put 271 runs on the board losing eight wickets.
Kyle Jervis hauled four while Tatenda Chatara took three Bangladesh wickets.
To race a mammoth 272 post, Zimbabwean skipper Hamilton Masakadza and young man Cephas Zhuwao gave them windy start but it last for seven overs only. Mustafizur Rahman came in the eighth over, started with wide ball followed by a cutter that uprooted Zhuwao's off stump.
Zhuwao scored 35 before being departed from the 22 yards. Nazmul Islam Opu got the scope of his style cobra celebration in the 11th over of the Zimbabwean innings picking up the wicket of Brendon Taylor.
Nazmul hooded once again shaking the off stump of Sikandar Raza. After the fall of Raza's wicket, Zimbabwe were 88 for four since Masakadza became run out between Nazmuls' preys.
Mehidy Miraz, the most successful among Bangladesh bowlers, was expensive in his opening spell, who picked up the wicket of Craig Ervine, Peter Moor and Brandon Matuva in the next spell. Nazmul Opu took two wickets.
Sean Williams and Kyle Jarvis showed some resistance at the ninth wicket stand but was hardly enough to snatch the win from Tigers paw. Zimbabwe scored 239 for nine playing all 50 overs and hence Bangladesh registered their 28 runs' victory.
The two teams will engage on October 24 and 26 in the next two ODIs at the Zahur Ahmed Choudhury Stadium in Chattogram.
Imrul Kayes named the player of the match.