|| CF Correspondent ||

Bangladesh opener Liton Kumar Das struck his second one-day international century to guide the host to a comfortable 169-run win over in the first one-day international of three-match series in Sylhet on Sunday.

Mashrafee became the first Bangladeshi to claim 100 wickets when he removed Mutombodzi that also folded the innings of the visitors for 152 runs chasing 322 runs to win.

Liton hit 126 off 105 balls with 13 fours and two sixes as Bangladesh made 321-6  and later the visitors were bundled out for 152 runs in 39.1 overs to give the host 1-0 lead in the three-match series.

Liton was  involved in two half-century stands to help the Tigers dominate Zimbabwe after Mashrafee bin Murtaza won the toss and elected to bat first.

Mohammad Mithun made 50 off 41 balls before Mohammad Saifuddin provided a late onslaught to stay 28 not out off 15 balls, helping Bangladesh post their highest score against Zimbabwe.

Zimbabwe, who missed their skipper Craig Ervine as he is still recovering from a fever while Sean Ervine, who was expected to lead in the series, is yet to arrive at Sylhet.

Zimbabwe’s chase never got going. The openers were tied down by some disciplined bowling and when they tried to attack, Saifuddin didn't give them anything. They were reduced to 23 for 3 and things only got worse as Brendan Taylor missed a sweep off Taijul. Wesley Madhevere, the debutant, kept one end busy even as the more experienced batsmen kept departing at the other end and when he departed in the 24th over the end was near. Saifuddin was the pick of the bowlers and was well backed up by the spin twins - Taijul and Mehidy.Liton and Tamim Iqbal put 60 runs in the opening stand before debutant all-rounder Wesley Madhevere broke the stand.

Tamim, who hit two fours, unsuccessfully reviewed the leg-before decision against him before trudging back with 24 off 43 balls.

Nazmul showed some early sign of aggression by hitting two sixes before he was adjudged leg-before off Tinotenda Mutombodzi.

Replay indicated Nazmul would survive if Bangladesh could review the decision as the impact of the ball was outside off-stump.

But Tamim already wasted Bangladesh’s only review, meaning Nazmul had to go back after a 80-run second wicket stand with Liton.