Fri, 12 Aug 2011 - Zimbabwe vs Bangladesh, Bangladesh Tour of Zimbabwe 2011, 1st ODI - Bulletin

Vitori, Sibanda sink Bangladesh

Vusimusi Sibanda might have missed the century by just five runs but right hander played a crucial role in helping his side to chase down a target of 185 successfully at Harare Sports Club. The home team survived an inspired spell from Bangladesh pacer Rubel Hossain with the old ball to reach the target in 42nd over with four wickets in the bank. Sibanda, one of the four victims of Rubel, displayed a mixture of aggression and common sense to take his side 1-0 up in the five match series.

It was bowlers, led by debutant left arm pacer, who set up the victory though. Following his dream debut in test cricket helping his side to terrific win at the same ground three last week, Vitori was impressive in his first ODI outing becoming first Zimbabwean to take a fifer in the debut game. He was superb with the new ball earning him remarkable figures of 8-0-21-4 and playing a major role in reducing the tourist to 43 for 5 in 17th over. He got his fifth in the comeback spell and becoming seventh international to grab fifer on the debut. Bangladesh total achieved some respectability thanks to sixth wicket stand between Shaqibul Hassan and Mushfiqur of 105 runs. Once Bangladesh skipper departed things fell apart losing last five wickets for 36 runs.

Zimbabwean chase was given a flying start by Sibanda upfront despite losing his partner and skipper Brendan Taylor at the team score of 26. The right handed opener had a productive partnership with Hamilton Masakadza to take his side forward. The duo put on quickfire 86 as boundaries came thick and fast for both of them. Masakadza was very severe on anything banged and Sibanda attacked the fuller length to a great success. Masakadza’s knock 41 came to an end via run out but Sibanda continued to make merry.

Rubel having bowled only one over with the new ball was brought back into the attack in 24th over and nearly turned match on its head. He removed Tatenda Taibu and Craig Ervine on successive deliveries to lift his side. But Sibanda kept his cool and added important 51 in Forster Mutizwa to take Zimbabwe within the striking distance.

Rubel removed both of them but couldn’t prevent the home team to reach the score. Sibanda’s 95 came off 102 balls and was laced with eight fours and two sixes.

Rubel had terrific returns of 4 for 24 in his ten but it was the fast bowler in opposite camp that impacted the match more than anyone else. Vitori and Chris Mpofu backed up their skipper’s decision to bowl first by getting the ball to seam away both ways. Mpofu used his height to get the ball to rear up from the length while left armer got the ball to deck away to pose problems for Bangladesh’s top order.

Vitroi got one big on Tamim Iqbal who spooned a mistimed pull shot to mid-on, Shahriar Nafees was castled by an incoming delivery, Mohammad Ashraful hooked one straight to long-leg’s throat and Imrul Kayes was undone by a well directed Yorker. Vitori literally was proving to be unplayable for the tourists and Elton Chigumbura added to their woes by having Mahmuduulah caught at point.

Bangladesh were reeling but Shaqibul and Rahim got their acts together to bring a century run stand. The right hander Rahim complemented his skipper well as both brought up fifties. Shaqibul faced 63 balls for 53 including two fours and Rahim’s innings of 59 was punctuated with five hits to the fence.

The tourists were all set for a 200 plus score before Shaqibul succumbed to part timer Masakadza and things went downhill from thereon. Shaqibul went at 148 and Rahim followed him soon to trigger another lower order collapse. Rahim fell to Prosper Utseya to give off spinner his 100th ODI wicket. Abdur Razzak departed without contributing much and Shaiful Islam became Vitori’s fifth when he failed to clear mid-off. Suharawadi Shuvo was left stranded at 20 as last man Rubel was run out to have the tourists all out for below par 184.