Shakib keeps Tigers roaring

Sports Reporter :An all-round performance by Shakib Al Hasan powered Bangladesh to achieve an huge 87-run victory over the visiting Zimbabwe in the first ODI at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chittagong on Friday.Sent into bat first, Bangladesh piled up a massive 281 for the loss of seven wickets in the regulation 50 overs and then they shot out Zimbabwe for 194 off 42.1 overs. Shakib Al Hasan hit a gritty 101. His 99-ball innings was laced with 10 fours. It was Shakib Al Hasan’s 6th ODI century. Hasan captured four wickets instead of 41 runs. He was adjudged the Man of the Match for his outstanding performance.Bangladesh made a meagre start as they lost their early three wickets for 31 runs.Then Shakib Al Hasan and Mominul Haque repaired the early damage adding together 39 runs for the fourth wicket partnership before Mominul Haque was bowled out by John Nyumbu when Bangladesh’s score was 70 for the loss of four wickets.Aster dismissal of Mominul Haque, Shakib Al Hasan and Mushfiqur Rahim rescued their team from danger contributing together 148 runs for the fifth wicket stand before Shakib Al Hasan was caught at the long-on by Tinashe Panyangara off Tafadzwa Kamungozi when the team’s total was 218 for the loss of five wickets.After departure of Shakib, Bangladesh batsmen failed to build any notable partnership.Wicketkeeper-batsman Mushfiqur Rahim hit a superb 65. His 72-ball knock was ornamented with two fours and two sixes.It was Mushfiqur Rahim’s 17th ODI half century. Mushfiqur reached his 50-run landmark playing 59 deliveries. Mushfiqur Rahim was caught at the long-off by Solomon Mire off Tinashe Panyangara when Bangladesh’s score was 246 for the loss of six wickets.Later, Sabbir Rahman entertained the spectators by his windy innings. He remained unbeaten with 44. He struck three big sixes and three fours in his 25-ball quick-fire innings. Earlier, one-down Mominul Haque scored a notable 31 from 46 balls with two fours.Tinashe Panyangara grabbed three wickets at the cost of 66 runs while Tendai Chatara begged a couple wickets instead of 48 runs. Besides, John Nyumbu and Tafadzwa Kamungozi took one wicket apiece.Later, Brendan Taylor and experienced Hamilton Masakadza fought back against tight bowling attack of Bangladesh. Bangladesh bowlers totally dominated over their African counterpart and earned a massive victory.Brendan Taylor made a notable 54 from 72 balls including four fours and a six while Hamilton Masakadza scored 42 off 48 balls including seven fours.Arafat Sunny, Mashrafe Bin Mortaza and Mahmudullah Riyad bagged a pair of wickets each for 22, 33 and 40 runs respectively. Bangladesh will take on Zimbabwe in the second ODI tomorrow at the same venue. The match begins at 1.30 pm.