Nahid Rana produced the best bowling figures by a Bangladeshi in one-day international history, but Zimbabwe staged a remarkable comeback to defeat Bangladesh in the opening match of their three-match ODI series at Harare Sports Club on Monday.
The express fast bowler claimed a career-best 6-21 as Zimbabwe were dismissed for just 141 in 36.4 overs, leaving Bangladesh seemingly in complete control of the contest.
Instead, Bangladesh's batting faltered under pressure as the visitors failed to chase the modest target, handing Zimbabwe an unlikely victory and a 1-0 lead in the series.
Nahid's outstanding spell eclipsed the previous Bangladesh ODI bowling record of 6-26 set by former captain Mashrafe Bin Mortaza against Kenya in 2006.
It was also the third five-wicket haul of Nahid's ODI career in only his 14th innings, underlining the rapid rise of the 22-year-old pace sensation.
Bangladesh captain Mehidy Hasan Miraz's decision to field first appeared fully justified after his bowlers dismantled Zimbabwe's top order.
Zimbabwe lost opener Ben Curran to a run-out for 18 before Taskin Ahmed struck twice in quick succession, removing Brian Bennett for 17 and dismissing Craig Ervine without scoring to reduce the hosts to 38-3.
Nahid then took command of the innings.
He removed Sikander Raza for one before ripping through the middle order with a devastating burst of fast bowling.
Among his victims was Innocent Kaia, who had tormented Bangladesh with an unbeaten 140 during Zimbabwe's victory in the recent one-off Test between the sides. Kaia made 26 from 39 balls before edging behind.
Nahid claimed five wickets in succession as Zimbabwe collapsed from a steady position to 70-8, threatening to register one of their lowest ODI totals on home soil.
Zimbabwe, however, found valuable resistance from captain Richard Ngarava and Newman Nyamhuri, whose 63-run partnership for the ninth wicket frustrated Bangladesh and lifted the total into three figures.
Ngarava made 27 before becoming Nahid's sixth victim, while Nyamhuri top-scored with 33 before Mehidy wrapped up the innings. Taskin finished with 2-32.
Bangladesh looked overwhelming favourites at the interval, requiring only 142 for victory on a pitch that had offered assistance to the seamers.
But Zimbabwe's bowlers turned the match around with a disciplined display, exploiting the same conditions to trigger a dramatic Bangladesh collapse.
The visitors never recovered after losing wickets at regular intervals and eventually fell short of the target, wasting a dominant bowling performance and Nahid's record-breaking spell.
Zimbabwe's victory handed the hosts a 1-0 lead in the three-match series while Bangladesh were left to reflect on a costly batting failure despite producing one of their finest displays with the ball.
