ZIM vs BAN | 1st T20I | Sikandar Raza's batting masterclass leads Zimbabwe to a thumping win

Zimbabwe continued their clinical T20I run

Riding on Sikandar Raza's blistering half-century and Wesley Madhevere's valuable contribution, hosts Zimbabwe handed a 17-run defeat to Bangladesh in the first T20I of the three-match series in Harare today. 

After electing to bat on a belter of a track, Zimbabwe had a troublesome start to their innings, losing Regis Chakabva and Craig Ervine cheaply inside 37 balls. However, the experienced Sean Williams steadied the ship for the hosts, adding 56 vital runs alongside Madhevere for the third wicket. 

Mustafizur brought the smiles back in the visitors' camp by castling Williams in the thirteenth over. But their happiness proved short-lived as Sikandar Raza broke Bangladesh's back in the wink of an eye. 

Raza's breathtaking knock stole the show today

The experienced all-rounder took all visiting bowlers to the cleaners and blasted his way through to a 26-ball 65*, propelling Zimbabwe to a mammoth total of 205 in 20 overs. Madhevere, before retiring hurt, scored a well-compiled 67 off 46 balls. 

Although Mustafizur picked two wickets, he went for 50 runs in his four overs. 

Bangladesh fall short despite Nurul Hasan's sparkling knock

Chasing 206 was always going to be a daunting task for Bangladesh. Things became further complicated for the Tigers as they lost Munim Shahriar in the ninth ball of their innings. 

However, the major turning point in the game was the dismissal of Litton Das, who played a gorgeous knock of 32 before being run out in the seventh over. 

Bangladesh couldn't recover from these early blows and dug their own grave by losing wickets regularly. Captain Nurul Hasan emerged as Bangladesh's best batter with an eye-catching 26-ball 42*, but his efforts went in vain as the visitors finally finished on 188 for six wickets in their allotted 20 overs.  

Brief Scores: 

Zimbabwe: 205/3 (20)

Wesley Madhevere 67* (46), Sikandar Raza 65* (26); 

Mustafizur Rahman 2/50, Mosaddek Hossain 1/21

Bangladesh: 188/6 (20) 

Nurul Hasan 42* (26), Najmul Hossain Shanto 37 (25); 

Luke Jongwe 2/34, Wellington Masakadza 1/23

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