Liton, Saifuddin get Tigers back to winning ways
Opener Liton Das smashed his second century that, along with Mohammad Saifuddin's all-round efforts, helped Bangladesh return to winning ways in the fifty-over format in the first ODI against Zimbabwe at the Sylhet International Stadium yesterday.
The home side posted their highest total against Zimbabwe of 321 for six and registered their largest victory in the format, by 169 runs, surpassing the 163-run victory against Sri Lanka in 2018.
Zimbabwe never looked like posing any threat in chase of the huge target and were eventually bundled out for 152 in 39.1 overs.
The game also witnessed Mashrafe Bin Mortaza become only the fifth bowler in ODI history to take 100 wickets as skipper when he picked up the last Zimbabwean wicket, his second of the match, of Tinotenda Mutombodzi. It was also his 700th wicket in his professional career.
Earlier, Liton, who was all set for an even bigger score than the 126 he had reached, had to surrender Sylhet's heat and humidity as the right-hander was forced to retire hurt and bring an end to a magnificent knock that took just 105 deliveries.
Bangladesh capitalised on Liton's hundred as Mohammad Mithun scored his fifth ODI fifty and Mahmudullah Riyad hit a quick 28-ball 32.
It was then Saifuddin who, making a comeback to the side after recovering from his back injury, struck three sixes in the last over from Chris Mpofu and remained unbeaten on 28 off 15 balls, helping the hosts go past the 300 mark with ease.
Taking first guard, Bangladesh were off to a steady start riding on openers Liton and Tamim Iqbal, who added 60 runs. Tamim took his time to settle but Liton started aggressively and took on the Zimbabwe bowlers.
Tamim was dismissed after scoring 24 runs when the left-hander was caught on the crease and became the first wicket of 19-year-old debutant off spinner Wesley Madhevere. Tamim, who was given out leg-before, went for a review but even that could not help him as replays showed the ball was hitting the stumps.
Liton was solid at the other end remained and reached his fifty off 45 balls with Nazmul Hossain Shanto at the other end. Nazmul, however, departed after scoring 29 while the experienced Mushfiqur Rahim was also dismissed cheaply, for 19.
But Liton kept the scoreboard ticking along at good pace after a watchful period following his fifty, and eventually reached his second hundred off 95 balls and went on to accelerate the innings before he had to leave the field with cramps.
Bangladesh literally toyed with the Zimbabwean batters with Saifuddin making a strong statement as an all-rounder, bagging three wickets for 27 runs from seven overs. Apart from Mashrafe, off-spinner Mehedi Hasan Miraz also picked up two wickets for the Tigers.
Lack of experience at the top has been the biggest concern for the visitors as they kept losing wickets at regular intervals.
Young Madhevere's 35 off 44 balls was the highest score for the batting side as Zimbabwe helplessly surrendered to the hosts without putting up a fight at all.
There will be questions over Zimbabwe's strength as an opponent with a lack of bite in the side but this win will surely boost the morale of the Tigers, who had lost their last five games in the format.
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