Zimbabwe clinch opener

Middle-order batsman Elton Chigumbura struck a half-century and claimed a crucial wicket as Zimbabwe defeated Bangladesh by 38 runs in the first match of the tri-nation series in Mirpur.

Chigumbura hit a patient 64 to steer the tourists to a total of 205 for nine after Bangladesh had chosen to field first.

Shakib Al Hasan, who had earlier claimed three wickets with his left-arm spin, led Bangladesh’s reply with a defiant 52, but the chase faltered after Chigumbura picked up his wicket.

Bangladesh, who were dismissed for 167 in 46.2 overs, now have to beat favourites Sri Lanka – the third side in the fray – on Wednesday to keep themselves in contention for a spot in the final.

The Tigers had hoped to exploit early-morning conditions at the Shere Bangla National Stadium but debutant Mahbubul Alam, who shared the new ball with Mortaza, proved erratic and was hit for consecutive boundaries in his first over by Hamilton Masakadza (16).

The opening stand, however, yielded only 23 runs as Masakadza was sent back by Mashrafe Mortaza in the fifth over of the day. Fellow opener Vusi Sibanda (15) also fell cheaply and, thereafter, Zimbabwe lost wickets at regular intervals.

Chigumbura, however, forged small but useful partnerships with the lower half of the batting order to get Zimbabwe past the 200-run mark.

His knock came in 95 deliveries and contained five hits to the fence.

Bangladesh lost opener Junaid Siddique for a duck, lbw to Prosper Utseya, in only the second over and struggled to recover.

Their most experienced campaigners, skipper Mohammad Ashraful (17) and Tamim Iqbal (14), were both dismissed in the same Utseya over as Zimbabwe gained the upper hand.

Shakib kept Bangladesh in the hunt for a while, but his departure ended Bangladesh’s resistance.

Ray Price and skipper Utseya claimed two wickets apiece for Zimbabwe.