Shoriful, Fizz fight back as Tigers bowl Zim out for 152
Shoriful Islam made crucial breakthroughs as Bangladesh fought back to bowl Zimbabwe out for 152 in the first T20 at Harare today. The pacers were all among the wickets with Mustafizur Rahman bagging three while Shoriful and Mohammad Saifuddin bagged two each.
Bangladesh made early inroad when Soumya Sarkar, running in from deep midwicket, dived to take a brilliant catch as Tadiwanashe Marumani fell to Mustafizur Rahman. However, Zimbabwe showed more responsiveness in the shortest format as Wessley Madhevere and Regis Chakabva starred in a 38-ball 64-run second wicket stand before the former departed to Shakib Al Hasan, out caught and bowled after a run-a-ball 23.
Bangladesh were brought back into the match in the 11th over bowled by Shoriful after a 22-ball 43 from Chakabva, laced with five fours and two sixes saw Zimbabwe score quick runs. Wicketkeeper Nurul Hasan Sohan showed great presence of mind, taking off his gloves quickly after Chakabva had tried a cheeky scoop but failed to connect. Sohan picked up the ball on the first bounce and produced a direct hit at the non-striker's end with Chakabva out of his crease. Skipper Sikandar Raza was then gone for naught, nicking a Shoriful delivery through to the wicket-keeper in the same over.
Soumya Sarkar trapped Tarisai Musakanda out leg-before and Shoriful then came back in the 14th over to castle the dangerous Dion Myers after a 22-ball 35. Mohammad Saifuddin and Mustafizur then came in at the death overs to clean up the tail to pick up the remaining four wickets, as Zimbabwe were bowled out for 152. Shakib finished with one for 28 in four overs but the other spinners Sheikh Mahedi and Mahmudullah Riyad were on the expensive side, going for 18 and 14 runs respectively in one over each.
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