Bangladesh registered their largest victory in One-Day International (ODI) history after they defeated Zimbabwe by 169 runs in the first ODI of the three-match series at Sylhet International Cricket Stadium on Sunday.
Bangladesh win by 169 runs! 🎉
That is their biggest ODI victory ever by runs 👏 #BANvZIM pic.twitter.com/GkPcl6ZnWL
— ICC (@ICC) March 1, 2020
After winning the toss, Tigers opted to bat first and posted a mammoth total of 321 – third-highest for hosts on their soil – thanks to the marvelous knock of Liton Das, who smashed his ODI career’s second century.
1⃣0⃣0⃣! Liton Das gets his 2nd ODI century with a boundary. #BANvZIM #RiseOfTheTigers pic.twitter.com/jJIaW2UBlv
— Bangladesh Cricket (@BCBtigers) March 1, 2020
In reply, Zimbabwe had the worst possible start as the visitors lost their first wicket for just 1 in the form of Tinashe Kamunhukamwe. Skipper Chamu Chibhabha and No.3 batsman Regis Chakabva added 22 runs before Chakabva was adjudged lbw by Mohammad Saifuddin.
In the very next over, Chibhabha also left the ground as Bangladeshi captain Mashrafe Mortaza sent him back to the hut. Due to the scoreboard pressure and some quality bowling, the tourists never looked like they were in the game; Zimbabwe kept on losing wickets at regular intervals and finally lost the contest by 169 runs.
Saifuddin bagged a maximum of three wickets, for Bangladesh while Mehidy Hasan and Mortaza grabbed two each.
Earlier, in the absence of Soumya Sarkar, Das opened the innings and got to his hundred off 95 deliveries in the 35th over. However, a few runs later, Das succumbed to cramps and retired hurt on 105-ball 126.
Mohammad Mithun and Mahmudullah added crucial runs down the order, with Mithun reaching to his fifty, while Mahmudullah scoring a 28-ball 32. Saifuddin also joined the party and played a cameo of 15-ball 28 to take the home team to a dominating score.
5⃣0⃣! Mohammad Mithun brings up his 5th fifty in ODIs.#BANvZIM #RiseOfTheTigers pic.twitter.com/JFLNM3gnli
— Bangladesh Cricket (@BCBtigers) March 1, 2020
