By Zim Sport Live Writer
Richard Ngarava and Blessing Muzarabani shared eight wickets as Zimbabwe opened their three-match Twenty20 International series against Bangladesh with a commanding 32-run victory at Queens Sports Club on Wednesday.
After being put in to bat, Zimbabwe recovered from the early loss of Brian Marumani to post a competitive 170 for six, laying the platform for their fast bowlers to take control.
Brian Bennett top scored with 44 off 30 deliveries while Ryan Burl anchored the inning with an unbean 30 from 25 deliveries.
The hosts made an aggressive start, reaching 54/1 inside the powerplay, before maintaining a steady scoring rate through the middle overs. They brought up their hundred in the 13th over and accelerated again at the death to finish on 170/6 from their 20 overs.
Bangladesh never found the momentum required in reply as Zimbabwe’s pace attack struck regularly to leave the visitors chasing the game from the outset.
The tourists slipped to 43/3 in the powerplay, and although Yasir Ali Chowdhury mounted a spirited counterattack with 51 from 33 balls, featuring two fours and three sixes, Zimbabwe remained firmly in control.
Yasir and Mahedi Hasan (19) briefly revived the innings with a rapid 50-run partnership from 36 deliveries, helping Bangladesh reach 100 in the 14th over. But the resistance proved short-lived.
Ngarava produced another outstanding spell with 4 for 26, removing key middle-order batters at crucial moments, while Muzarabani’s pace and bounce proved equally devastating as he returned 4 for 17, including a maiden over.
The pair combined for eight wickets to dismiss Bangladesh for 138 in 19 overs, sealing Zimbabwe’s comfortable victory and giving the hosts a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.
The result continues Zimbabwe’s impressive run against Bangladesh on home soil, having already secured the recent ODI series, and gives them the perfect start as they look to clinch another bilateral series.
Match Summary
Zimbabwe 170/6 (20 overs)
Bangladesh 138 all out (19 overs)
Zimbabwe won by 32 runs.