Abu Dhabi:Bangladesh began their tri-nation ODI series with a challenging start, suffering a 99-run defeat to Zimbabwe at Sheikh Zayed Stadium on Saturday.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Zimbabwe, after a difficult beginning, managed to reach a total of 271-8. Bangladesh, struggling to match this target, were all out for 172 in just 33.4 overs.
Tanzid Hasan Tamim was the top-scorer for Bangladesh with 46 runs, while other batsmen faltered. Soumya Sarkar was dismissed for 9, and Najmul Hossain Shanto and captain Towhid Hridoy each contributed only 13 runs. Hridoy's dismissal at 97-4 marked a turning point, as Bangladesh struggled to keep up with the required run rate.
Despite a late effort with a 32-run partnership between Rishad Hossain and Taskin Ahmed, Bangladesh could not recover. Rishad scored 23, and Taskin remained not out on 16. Brad Evans led Zimbabwe’s bowling with four wickets, while Sikandar Raza and Masakadza took two wickets each.
Zimbabwe's innings was bolstered by a 150-run partnership between Brendan Taylor and Craig Ervine. Taylor scored 81, and Ervine added 93 runs. Taskin Ahmed was effective for Bangladesh, taking three wickets for 44 runs, with Shoriful Islam and Saif Hassan each claiming two wickets.
Bangladesh is set to face Afghanistan in their next match on October 21.