Zimbabwe set Bangladesh 272-run target

Zimbabwe set Bangladesh a target of 272 runs in the opening match of the ODI Tri-Nation Series in the UAE after posting 271 for eight wickets in 50 overs at Sheikh Zayed Stadium on Saturday (October17).

Zimbabwe made a poor start after electing to bat, losing their top three wickets for just 24 runs as Bangladesh pacer Taskin Ahmed struck early.

Taskin dismissed Brian Bennett for a duck, Ben Curran for six and wicketkeeper-batter Tafadzwa Tsiga for 16 to put Bangladesh in control during the opening overs.

However, Brendan Taylor and Craig Ervine rebuilt the innings with a crucial partnership, taking Zimbabwe past the early setbacks and laying the foundation for a competitive total.

Taylor struck 76 off 87 balls, including 10 fours, while Ervine contributed 53 off 75 deliveries, hitting four boundaries. Their partnership helped Zimbabwe recover from 24 for three and build momentum through the middle overs. 

Taskin finished with three wickets for 44 runs. Shoriful Islam and Saif Hassan claimed two wickets each, while Rishad Hossain took one.