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Nahid Rana produced the best bowling figures by a Bangladeshi in One-Day Internationals, but Zimbabwe recovered from a batting collapse to secure a 25-run victory in the opening ODI in Harare on Monday and take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.
Defending a modest total of 141, Zimbabwe bowled Bangladesh out for 116 in 33.1 overs, exposing the visitors’ fragile batting after Nahid had delivered a career-best performance with the ball.
The young pacer returned remarkable figures of 6 for 21 from his 10 overs, surpassing Bangladesh’s previous ODI best of 6 for 26, jointly held by Mashrafe Bin Mortaza and Rubel Hossain.
Bangladesh made a dream start after captain Mehidy Hasan Miraz won the toss and elected to field. Miraz produced a direct-hit run-out before Taskin Ahmed struck twice in consecutive deliveries, removing Brian Bennett and Craig Ervine to leave Zimbabwe reeling.
Nahid then ripped through the middle order, dismissing Sikandar Raza, Wessly Madhevere and Innocent Kaia as the hosts slumped deeper into trouble.
However, Zimbabwe found unlikely resistance through Richard Ngarava and Tanaka Chivanga, whose ninth-wicket partnership of more than 50 runs lifted the total to 141. Nahid eventually returned to dismiss Ngarava and complete his record-breaking six-wicket haul.
Bangladesh’s chase never gained momentum.
Blessing Muzarabani struck twice in the opening four overs to remove Tanzid Hasan and Najmul Hossain Shanto, before Richard Ngarava dismissed Soumya Sarkar as Bangladesh crashed to 19 for 3.
Towhid Hridoy and Nurul Hasan steadied the innings with a 49-run partnership for the fourth wicket, briefly reviving Bangladesh’s hopes. But Hridoy’s dismissal triggered another collapse as Mosaddek Hossain, Miraz and the lower order failed to build meaningful partnerships.
Nurul top-scored with 31 from 44 balls, but Bangladesh continued to lose wickets at regular intervals before being bowled out for 116.
The victory gives Zimbabwe a 1-0 lead in the three-match series, while Bangladesh will need a much-improved batting display in the second ODI to keep the series alive.