Tigers to handsome win over Zimbabwe

Imrul Kayes’ power-packed 144 powered Bangladesh to a 28-run win over Zimbabwe in the first ODI. The visitors gave away a golden opportunity to control the game when they had the home side cornered at 139 for 6 in the 30th over.

Imrul and Mohammad Saifuddin chose that moment to put on a record 127-run seventh wicket stand to pull Bangladesh to 271-8 in 50 overs, before the spinners applied the choke in time-honoured fashion, as the home team took a one-nil lead in the series.

Bangladesh scored 271 runs losing 8 wickets in all 50 overs against Zimbabwe, snatching Zimbabwe’s chance to win in Bangladesh in the first ODI match at Mirpur Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Dhaka.

Imrul Kayes has slammed his third ODI century and kept Bangladesh on course with the bat against Zimbabwe in the first ODI at Mirpur.

The left-handed Bangladeshi smasher bagged 144 runs off 140 balls hitting 13 fours and six sixes.

The opener registered his third ODI hundred to push Tigers past the 200-run mark and it was fifty for Saifuddin when he smashed three fours and one six from 69 balls for Bangladesh.

Fazle Mahmud makes his debut in Bangladesh ODI cricket today while Sikandar replaced Elton Chigumbura and Cephas Zhuwao was picked ahead of Solomon Mire and will open the batting in the first ODI at Mirpur.

Bangladesh captain Mashrafe bin Mortaza won the toss and decided to bat first against Zimbabwe in the first ODI at Mirpur Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Dhaka Sunday.