First T20 International: Bangladesh Vs Zimbabwe played at Sheikh Naser Stadium Khulna on 15 January 2015

Bangladesh 166/6 (Sabbir Rahman 46, Tamim Iqbal 29, Mushfiqur Rahim 26, Shakib Al Hasan 20*, AG Cremer 2/32) beat Zimbabwe 163/7 ( Hamilton Masakdaza 79, Vusi Musi Sibanda 46, Mustafizur Rahman 2/18, Al Amin Hossain 2/24) by 4 wickets

Player of the Match: H Masakadza (Zimbabwe)

2015 was a year of milestone setting for Mashrafe led Bengal Tigers. Year 2016 started with a win but not too convincing though. Bangladesh almost messed up a difficult chase. But cool Shakib taking the debutant Nurul Hasan in his wings ensured that there was no twist in the tail.

The match was won by 4 wickets with 8 balls to spare. Batting first the visitors were threaten to take the match away reaching 150 in the 17th over. But controlled bowling of wonder boy Mustafiz and impressive Al Amin restricted them to 163 for 7.

Bangladesh trying to experiment a little too much almost lost their way in the hunt. Ultimately, a little cameo by Shakib coming to bat at number 6 ensured that Tigers keep their records straight against Zimbabwe.

Bangladesh got across in the 18.4 over from a wide ball bringing 5 runs after Shakib struck back to back boundaries in the penultimate over.  Bangladesh was off to a winning start.

T20 remains a version Bangladesh finding a bit difficult to get used to. Rather than Bangladesh, winning the match Zimbabwe lost the initiative after Hamilton Masakdza and Vusimusi Sibanda gave them rollicking start.
 
Bangladesh included Shubhagato Hom ahead of Imrul Kayes or Abu Haider possibly planning to use him as bowling all-rounder. But the team management gambled with him sending him above Mahmudullah, Mushfique and Shakib to bat on a difficult chase. The gamble did not pay off. He was not even called upon to bowl.

Two leading bowlers Mashrafe and Shakib leaked too many runs to their comfort. It was only for magical Mustafiz and impressive Al Amin tightening the leash that kept the tourist honest.

Mustafiz struck two deadly blows in his last over and Al Amin also repeated in his last to keep the target within reach. Yet Bangladesh getting across 163 in T20 was setting a new milestone.

It was their second highest run chase after its win chasing 164 against West Indies in world T20 in 2007. A cool Shakib ensured that no drama was staged. Bangladesh won by 4 wickets with 8 balls to spare.

Winning the toss the tourist made a very impressive start. Experienced Masakadza and Sibanda were looking great in their 101 run opening partnership. Neither Mashrafe nor Shakib could control the flow of runs.

Mustafiz was held back a little. Mashrafe for reasons not known did not use Shubhagato included in the team as bowling all-rounder. He later defended his decision saying, “match situation did not allow him bring him on.”

Mustafiz was in his elements when brought on teasing the tourist with his deceiving deliveries. Al Amin also looked impressive. Especially in the last four overs this pair did not let the Zimbabweans cut loose.

Mustafiz had double strikes on consecutive deliveries in his last over. Al Amin also did the same. Zimbabwe was 3/153 at the start of the 19th over threatening to take away the match from the tigers. But Tiger Mustafiz preyed in anger removing Captain Chigumbura and Zohngi off consecutive deliveries.

Al Amin in his last over picked Sikandar Raza and S Williams. Zimbabwe could only 10 runs in the last two overs ending at 163 /7 still setting Bangladesh a record chase in T20 international.

Masakadza played a sparkling innings of 79 in 53 deliveries with 9 fours and 2 sixes. Sibanda on his return to the team after a while contributed 46. Unfortunately, for the tourist, none else could keep the momentum going. Mustafiz took 2/ 18 and Al Amin grabbed 2/24.

Bangladesh was making strong reply through Tamim and Soumya knocking off 31 by the fourth over before Soumya in a terrible mix up ran himself out. Tamim scored 29 off 24 and in the process struck the 100th sixes in international cricket. It was a difficult chase.

Still Subhagato was promoted to bat above seasoned professionals Mahamudullah, Mushfique and Shakib. The gamble did not pay off. Fortunately, Shabbir was on song and Mushfique was also at his fluent best. The pair was racing merrily. But both lost their cool at wrong moment.

Shabbir after playing so well tried to repeat his wonderful stroke off Cremer and holed out to Waller in his effort of scoring his fifty with a bang. His 44 was the highest for the tigers in the match. Mushfique was too cheeky. He played and missed few reverse sweeps.

Finally, he fell to an unnecessary adventurous stroke of Masakadza after scoring 26.  A bit more discipline from Shabbir and Mushfique could lead Bangladesh winning the match easily. Mahmudullah had to try and manufacture strokes as the overs were running out.

After scoring a huge six, he played down wrong line to Jongwe bringing in debutant Nurual Hasan to pair with Shakib for the final works. Shakib used as a finisher on the day looked imperious. His little cameo of unbeaten 20 off 13 deliveries won the match for tigers by 4 wickets.

Even debutant Nurul Hasan played a confident stroke in his 5 balls 7 run. Masakadza won the player of the match. Bangladesh won but not too impressive win. Perhaps Bangladesh will not try and experience too much.

Mashrafe in the post-match briefing thanked Mushfique and Shakib for their changed role. For the first time in T20 Mushfique let debutant Nurul stand behind the wicket and Shakib played as low as number 6.

Both made significant contributions though in the win. Nurul looked impressive behind the wicket and also in his brief stay in front.

BDST: 0910 HRS, JAN 16, 2016
RS