Zimbabwe beat Bangladesh by 99 runs in tri-series opener

Zimbabwe secured a 99-run win against Bangladesh in the tri-series opener in Abu Dhabi, overcoming a top-order collapse through 40-somethings Craig Ervine and Brendan Taylor before a four-wicket haul from fast bowler Brad Evans dismantled the chase, cricinfo.com reported.

How Ervine and Taylor Rescued Zimbabwe from a Top-Order Collapse

Taskin Ahmed ripped through the top of the Zimbabwe order in a fiery new-ball spell, removing Brian Bennett, Ben Curran, and debutant Tafadzwa Tsiga as the side slipped to 24 for 3 in the seventh over. Rather than folding, Ervine and Taylor dug in to add 150 runs for the fourth wicket. Taylor reached his first ODI half-century in six years while also crossing Andy Flower’s record of most runs in the format for Zimbabwe, eventually falling for 81 when he miscued a reverse sweep off Saif Hassan. Ervine anchored the middle overs with aggressive sweeps and reverse-sweeps, contributing 93 runs before being caught behind just seven runs short of a century. Wessley Madhevere added a brief burst of boundaries before late contributions from Newman Nyamhuri and Wellington Masakadza pushed the total to 271 for 8. Taskin finished with 3 for 44 for Bangladesh.

How Brad Evans and the Bowlers Dismantled the Bangladesh Chase

Bangladesh offered a strong initial response through Tanzid Hasan, who hammered nine fours and a six in his 46 off 38 balls. The innings unraveled swiftly once Soumya Sarkar edged Blessing Muzarabani to second slip in the seventh over. Tanzid received a life on 46 when Muzarabani misjudged a catch at deep third, but he guided the ball into substitute fielder Ryan Burl’s lap on the very next delivery. Brad Evans then breached Najmul Hossain Shanto’s defenses, leaving Bangladesh at 68 for 3 in the tenth over. Captain Sikandar Raza trapped Towhid Hridoy lbw for 13, and Wellington Masakadza removed Mosaddek Hossain and Saif. Evans returned to claim a double-wicket over, dismissing Nurul Hasan and Shoriful Islam with short balls. Raza picked up his 100th ODI wicket when Rishad Hossain holed out at long-on, and Evans finished the match by bowling Mustafizur Rahman to bowl Bangladesh out for 172, sealing Raza’s first victory as ODI captain.

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