Nahid Rana's historic bowling show in vain as Zimbabwe stun Bangladesh in 1st ODI

Zimbabwe stunned Bangladesh in the first ODI of the three-match series with a 25-run victory on Monday, July 6 at Harare Sports Club, Harare. After being put in to bat first, Zimbabwe were bundled out for just 141 in 36.4 overs as Nahid Rana etched his name in the history books, registering best figures for Bangladesh in ODIs.

In reply, the visitors crumbled in what seemed like a routine chase against a relentless Zimbabwe bowling attack and were skittled for 116 in 33.1 overs. Captain Richard Ngarava (3/31, 7.1 overs) led from the front with a three-wicket haul, while Brad Evans (3/34) also chipped in with three wickets. 

Apart from them, Blessing Muzarabani (2/24) and Newman Nyamhuri (2/22, 6 overs) also scalped two wickets each to run through Bangladesh’s batting. As a result, Zimbabwe took a 1-0 lead in the ODI series, after earlier defeating Bangladesh in the one-off Test match as well.  The second ODI will be played on Thursday, July 9 at the same venue.

Top run-scorer of the Match

Top wicket-taker of the Match

Player of the Match

Newman Nyamhuri was adjudged Player of the Match for his all-round contribution. He first played a crucial knock of 33 (51), stitching an important ninth wicket stand with Richard Ngarava. Later, with the ball, he dismissed a well-set Towhid Hridoy and Mosaddek Hossain in back-to-back overs, leaving Bangladesh in misery.

Turning Point

There were a couple of turning points in the match. In the first innings, Zimbabwe were left reeling at 70/8 in 19.5 overs. It took a 63-run stand for the ninth wicket between Newman Nyamhuri (33 off 51) and Richard Ngarava (27 off 41) to guide Zimbabwe past 140.

In the second innings, after Ngarava and Blessing Muzarabani reduced Bangladesh to 17/3 after 4.1 overs, Towhid Hridoy (25 off 58) and Nurul Hasan (31 off 44), rescued their innings with a 49-run stand for the fourth wicket. However, Nyamhuri got rid of Hridoy in the 19^th over to break their partnership and triggered a collapse.

What did the captains say:

Winning Captain, Richard Ngarava (Zimbabwe): 

(Discussions at the halfway stage?) The discussion in the dressing room was that, as Zimbabweans, we are capable of coming through any situation. We believed we could fight our way out of it. We fight till the end and we do it as a pack. (On their ninth-wicket partnership) We just wanted to keep things simple, watch the ball and play accordingly. (On the victory) It feels pretty nice, it's a great feeling. Hopefully it continues. I am quite happy I have been able to put a smile on their (fans) faces. The crowd support was great. They are our twelfth man and it's great to have them.

Losing Captain, Mehidy Hasan Miraz (Bangladesh):

(On their bowling performance) Yes, I think we bowled really well, especially Nahid Rana. He took six wickets. That was excellent. And yes, we can get better in a few areas, but they got a partnership for the ninth wicket. That's crucial runs, the 63-run great partnership. And yes, a little bit disappointed with our batting unit. (On Rana's 6-fer) That was great. And I think Nahid Rana, the platform we built the last few series, the way they bowled, that was excellent. And I hope that if we continue, definitely it would be better for our team. We can do better, but we have to bowl the right area. But they made a very good partnership. Both batsmen played really well at that time. (Concerns in the batting department?) Yes, yes. If we get a partnership in the first 10 overs, definitely it would be better, but we didn't get it. And we have to take responsibility for that. You know, 142 runs is not easy in those conditions, but still we're trying. If we make a partnership first, it would be better.