Bangladesh overcame a classy 79 runs knock by Hamilton Masakadza to outwit Zimbabwe by four-wicket in a tense-finish to the first T20 International yesterday at Sheikh Abu Naser Stadium in Khulna.
The hosts thereby took the 1-0 lead in four-match series and went per popular expectation to start the 2016 mission with a winning note. The bowlers set up the platform of victory by inflicting a middle order collapse after Zimbabwe put up 101-run in the opening stand, their highest in T20. The Southern African nation however was restricted to 163 for seven which Bangladesh eclipsed with 166 for six and eight balls to spare.
What made the difference was Bangladesh’s death over effort.  Mustafizur Rahman and Al-Amin Hossain made Zimbabwe faltered at near the end by putting up an aesthetic death bowling art as they lost five wickets for only 31 runs in the last five overs.
Bangladesh lost Soumya Sarkar, back in the team after missing the series against the same opponent in last November, early but Tamim Iqbal gave them a decent platform. Sabbir Rahman played an anchor role while Shakib Al Hasan finished the chase calmly.
Bangladesh had 31 up in the fourth over when Soumya Sarkar was run out after a mix-up with Tamim Iqbal. Tamim shook it off and plundered the bowlers with 29 off 24 balls before he was out in seventh over. Sabbir Rahman, considered as the genuine T20 batsman of Bangladesh, then took the anchor role.
Shuvagata Hom however failed to make his T20 debut a memorable one by being out for six. At this stage Zimbabwe was pumped-up and sensed a victory after they were whitewashed in two-match T20 series to Afghanistan.
Sabbir however was supported by Mushfiqur Rahim, who made 26 off 19, sending the ball across the rope three times. Zimbabwe raised hopes of clawing back, dismissing Sabbir after he hit 46 off 34, with four boundaries and one maximum, at 118 four. They also got the wicket of Mushfiqur after just seven runs to make them hot-favourite.  But Shakib Al Hasan held his nerve to seal the victory with an unbeaten 20 off 13, with two fours. Leg-spinner Graeme Cremer returned two for 32.
Zimbabwe put up a decent total thanks to Masakadza, who smashed 79 off 53, equaling his highest score in T20s. He clobbered two sixes and nine fours, some of which beautifully carved past the inner circle. Sibanda added 46. Shakib Al Hasan made the breakthrough for Bangladesh, removing Sibanda, who survived a catch in the preceding delivery. At the edge of the boundary rope, Soumya Sarkar made an overwhelming effort to hold on the catch but TV replay ensured his foot touched the boundary rope. It went for six but he sliced the next delivery to Tamim Iqbal.
Sibanda’s dismissal also stemmed the run flow of Zimbabwe and the situation got worsened once Malcolm Waller (14) and Hamilton Masakadza were run out in a quick succession. Bangladesh pacers- Mustafizur Rahman and Al-Amin Hossain then choked the Zimbabwe in a gem of fast bowling. Both of them took two wickets each.