Tanzid shines on debut as Bangladesh thrash Zimbabwe in 1st T20

|| CF DESK ||

Tanzid Tamim steered with a half-century in his debut as Bangladesh secured a 8-wicket win against Zimbabwe in the first T20I at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium on Friday.

Tanzid made a flying start to Bangladesh's innings in pursuit of 125 runs. Despite losing Litton Das early, Tanzid and Tawhid Hridoy guided Bangladesh to a thumping win over the tourists.

Tanzid played a blistering 47-ball 67 stroking eight boundaries and a couple of sixes and Tawhid made a rapid 33 off 18 deliveries. Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto also contributed  21 runs in their win. 

Bangladesh bowlers came up strong against the visitors as they ripped through the batting lineup and crushed them to 124 runs 20 in overs.

Debutant Joylord Gumbie kicked off his innings with a boundary in the first delivery of the match off Shoriful Islam but failed to play long innings and could manage to score 17 runs. 

Mohammad Saifuddin, who returned to the national fold after 18 months sent off Gumbie when he flicked the bowl toward fine leg only to hand it to the fielder.

Craig Ervine, the other opener was castled by spinner Mahedi Hasan in the second over. Brian Bennet and Gumbie tried to resist and added a 24-run partnership but Mahmudullah dismissed Bennet (16) with a stunning runout.

Zimbabwe lost three crucial wickets of skipper Sikandar Raza (0), Sean Williams (0) and Ryan Burl (0) in quick succession during the first powerplay being slumped to 41-7.

Then, Clive Madande took charge of the innings and added a 75-run partnership with Wellington Masakadza for the eight-wicket stand to rescue the visitors. Madande scored the highest 43 off 39 and Masakadza contributed with 33 runs.

For Bangladesh, Saifuddin and Taskin scalped three each while Mahedi and picked up a couple of wickets.

Squad:

Bangladesh: Najmul Hossain Shanto (c), Litton Kumer Das, Tanzid Hasan Tamim, Tawhid Hridoy, Md. Mahmudullah, Shak Mahedi Hasan, Taskin Ahmed, Shoriful Islam, Rishad Hossain, Jaker Ali Anik (wk), Md Shaif Uddin 

Zimbabwe: Sikandar Raza (c), Craig Ervine, Joylord Gumbie, Brian Bennet, Sean Williams, Clive Mandande (wk), Luke Jongwe, Wellington Masakadza, Ryan Burl, Blessing Muzarabani, Richard Ngarava