Bangladesh beat Zimbabwe by 145 runs in their first One-Day International Saturday to take an early lead in the three-match series. Mushfiqur Rahim and Shakib Al Hasan were instrumental in Bangladesh's comfortable victory. Rahim's 107 off 109 balls, including nine fours and a six, helped Bangladesh to 273-9 off 50 overs after which Shakib ripped through the Zimbabwe batting lineup with a career-best 5-47. Zimbabwe finished on 128 off 36.1 overs with wicketkeeper Richmond Mutumbami unable to bat due to an ankle injury. Captain Elton Chigumbura was the highest scorer with 41 while Luke Jongwe added 39. Zimbabwe won the toss and opted to field. Liton Das was promoted to open for Bangladesh with Tamim Iqbal — his 13th opening partner — but was out without scoring after Jongwe ended his six-ball uncomfortable stay at the crease. Mahmudullah (9) paid the price for his lack of footwork against fast bowler Tinashe Panyangara at 30-2. Rahim was as usual street-smart, rotating the scoreboard with a series of singles. As his partnership with Tamim looked threatening, off spinner Sikandar Raza (2-47) kept a delivery low to dismiss Tamim, who struck three fours and two sixes in his 40 runs off 68 balls. Raza then dealt another blow, claiming Shakib Al Hasan (16) who was stumped, before Rahim and Sabbir Rahman (57) guided the innings with a 119-run, fifth-wicket partnership. Chasing a difficult 274 to win, Zimbabwe openers Chamu Chibhabha and Jongwe played sensibly until Shakib dealt a double strike, dismissing Chibhabha (9) and Craig Ervine (2) to leave Zimbabwe at 48-2. The situation worsened when paceman Al-Amin Hossain removed Jongwe on 39 with Zimbabwe 54-3. That sparked the collapse. Only Chigumbura was able to hold one end and was the last batsman to be out. Bangladesh captain Mashrafe Mortaza complemented Shakib's first ODI five-for with 2-13. — AP
