Bangladesh take 1-0 lead in the two-match series

Bangladesh take a 1-0 lead in the two-match T20I series as the Tigers beat Zimbabwe by 48 runs in the first match at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur today. 

Coming in to chase a mammoth 200-run total set by Bangladesh, Zimbabwe struggled from the beginning. The visitors lost a flurry of wickets and were left reeling at 3 for 37 after 5.3 overs. Things turned bleak when leg spinner Aminul Islam took two wickets in two consecutive deliveries in the ninth over, reducing Zimbabwe to 69 for five. A team high of 20-ball 28 came from opener Tinashe Kamunhukamwe but the visitors failed in the batting department miserably while in chase of the huge total. 

Earlier it was Tamim Iqbal and Liton Das who had set the tone for such a good total. The duo strung together a 92-run stand -- the best opening stand for the Tigers in T20Is -- before Soumya Sarkar's cameo in the middle complemented the brilliant start provided by Liton and Tamim. Soumya remianed unbeaten for a 32-ball 62 -- his career best T20I score.  

Fizz finishes it off

[Wicket] Over 18.6, Zim 152 all out: CT Mumba c Liton Das b Mustafizur Rahman 25 (16b 3x4 1x6) SR: 156.25

A cutter from Mustafizur Rahman and Carl Mumba could only slice it up as Liton Das takes a good catch at long-on. That's it, Bangladesh take the lead in the two-match series as the Tigers beat Zimbabwe by 48 runs in the first match at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur today. 

Saifuddin rattles Tiripano's stumps

[Wicket] Over 16.4, Zim 130/9: DT Tiripano b Mohammad Saifuddin 20 (13b 0x4 3x6) SR: 153.84

A slower ball from Mohammad Saifuddin and it keeps low. Donald Tiripano, who goes for a wild slog, gets an inside edge as he drags the ball onto his stumps. Saifuddin brings in the trademark two-arms-wide-open celebration. 

Liton takes stunner to dismiss Mutumbami

[Wicket] Over 14.1, Zim 107/8: R Mutumbami c Liton Das b Mustafizur Rahman 20 (13b 0x4 2x6) SR: 153.84

A fuller length outside off delivery from Mustafizur Rahman and Mutumbami tries to go for a slog. However, the ball got the elevation and not the distance and Liton Das, at extra cover, runs backwards keeping his eyes fixed on the ball as he takes a brilliant catch.   

Aminul gets his third

[Wicket] Over 12.6, Zim 100/7: CT Mutombodzi c Mustafizur Rahman b Aminul Islam 2 (4b 0x4 0x6) SR: 50.00

A tossed up outside the off delivery from Aminul Islam and Mutombodzi tries to go over the in field. The right-hander however gets a thick outside edge and the ball goes to short third man. Zimbabwe seven down and their tail is now exposed. 

Afif joins the party

[wicket] Over 11.3, Zim 83/6: Sikandar Raza c †Mushfiqur Rahim b Afif Hossain 10 (14b 2x4 0x6) SR: 71.42  

Afif Hossain gets a wicket in his first over. Sikandar Raza tries to play a length delivery through the covers and the ball that was going away from the right-hander with the angle takes a feather inside edge and Mushfiqur Rahim behind the stumps takes the catch. Zimbabwe six down.

Aminul gets two in two!

[Wicket] Over 8.3, Zim 69/5: SC Williams c Soumya Sarkar b Aminul Islam 20 (12b 1x4 2x6) SR: 166.66

Aminul Islam was lucky to have gotten a wicket with this delivery. It was a juicy full toss on the legs and Zimbabwe skipper Sean Williams could have hit it anywhere. However, he tries to go over deep square leg, where Soumya Sarkar was waiting. And the ball falls in his hand. Zimbabwe lose back to back wickets and Aminul, who had scalped the wicket of Tinashe Kamunhukamwe in the previous delivery, is on a hat-trick now.

Madhevere falls to a run-out

[Wicket] Over 5.3, Zim 37/3: W Madhevere run out (Afif Hossain/†Mushfiqur Rahim) 4 (5b 0x4 0x6) SR: 80.00

Wesely Madhever tucks a Mahadi Hasan delivery towrds the mid-wicket region and they push hard for the second one. Afif Hossain comes running from the deep and throws it first time to the keeper. Mushfiqur Rahim with the gloves makes no mistake and Madhevere departs.  

Fizz traps in front Ervine

[Wicket] Over 4.2, Zim 30/2: CR Ervine lbw b Mustafizur Rahman 8 (9b 1x4 0x6) SR: 88.88

A length ball from Mustafizur Rahman and Craig Ervine, the left-hander tries to work it on the leg side but misses it as the ball hits the pads. A very loud appeal for LBW and umpire raises his finger. Ervine also looked convinced and does not go for a review. Zimbabwe two down early in the innings. 

Shafiul snaffles Taylor!

[Wicket] Over 1.6, Zim 11/1: Brendan Taylor c Soumya Sarkar b Shafiul Islam 1 (5b)  

Brendan Taylor tries to make room to hammer another boundary, but Shafiul denies him that room and Taylor can just hit it in the air to midwicket. 

Soumya cameo helps Bangladesh post 200

End of over 20, Ban 200/3

Bangladesh posted a mammoth 200 for three against Zimbabwe in their first T20I at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur today. After a 92-run opening stand from Tamim Iqbal and Liton Das, the highest opening partnership for Bangladesh in T20Is, it was Soumya Sarkar's cameo that helped Bangladesh post 200 or more for the third time in the format. Soumya remained unbeaten for a 32-ball 62 -- his career best T20I score -- that featured four boundaries and five maximums. Soumya smashed Christopher Mpofu for three massive sixes in the final over, helping Bangladesh reach 200 for three at the end of 20 overs.  

Mushy perishes after getting a start

[Wicket] Over 15.5, Ban 146/3: Mushfiqur Rahim c Williams b Mpofu 17 (8b 0x4 2x6) SR: 212.50

Just after hitting Christopher Mpofu for a six in a free-hit, Mushfiqur Rahim tries to go for another biggie. However, the wicketkeeper batsman only manages to get the low part of the bat on it and the ball could not even clear the infield. Caught at mid-off, Mushfiqur departs after a quickfire eight-ball 17.  

Liton falls after rapid 59

[Wicket] Over 12.6, Ban 106/2: Liton Das lbw b Sikandar Raza 59 (39b 5x4 3x6) SR: 151.28

A length ball from Sikandar Raza that held its line and hits Liton on his pads. Zimbabwe players appeal and umpire obliges as it looked pretty straight-forward. Liton, who was walking away, changed his mind at the last moment and goes for a review. The ball tracking showed that it would have hit middle stump and the umpire's decision stays. 

Liton smashes fifty after Tamim's dismissal

Over 10.5, Ban 95/1

Bangladesh opener Liton Das plays a shot. Photo: Firoz Ahmed

Liton Das goes down the track and works a Madehvere delivery towards deep backward sqaure for a single. That brings up his fifty off just 31 deliveries. The right-hander looked brilliant in the middle and he needs to bat long if the Tigers hope to pile up a decent score. 

Tamim falls after brisk 92-run opening stand

[Wicket] Over 10.2, Ban 92/1: Tamim Iqbal c Williams b Madhevere 41 (33b 3x4 2x6) SR: 124.24

Tamim Iqbal dances down the track and tries to hit Madhevere for a maximum. However, the left-hander could not time this well and the fielder at extra cover takes the catch. But wait a minute! The umpires are checking for a possible no ball. It seems to be very close. Some part of the heel needs to be behind the line but the umpire could not say anything conclusively. And Tamim has to go as the initial decision from the on-field umpire was out. This is however the highest opening partnership for Bangladesh in T20Is. The previous best was also by the same duo when they scored 74 against Sri Lanka in 2018.  

Tamim, Liton give Tigers a flying start

End of over 6, Ban 59/0

A very good start by the two Bangladeshi openers -- Tamim Iqbal and Liton Das -- as they notch 59 runs after the end of first powerplay. The duo comes fresh from their record openeing partnership in ODIs for Bangladesh when they smashed 292 runs for the opening stand against Zimbabwe during their third ODI in Sylhet last Friday. Liton started the show by hitting a six and a four off Sikandar Raza in the very first over. Meanwhile, Tamim, who had recently been named the long-term ODI captain after fromer captain Mashrafe Bin Mortaza announced his retirement as a captain, was tested by Donald Tiripano initially but the left-hander seemed to have adjusted nicely as he played some exquisite shots.