DHAKA, (Reuters) – Paceman Christopher Mpofu claimed three vital wickets for 25 to lift Zimbabwe to a nine-run victory over Bangladesh in the first one-day international yesterday.
Mpofu scalped opener Tamim Iqbal, Mahmudullah and Shakib al Hasan as Bangladesh were all out for 200 in 49 overs having been set a modest target.
Bangladesh got off to a steady start before Mpofu had Iqbal lbw for 23 to end a 44-run opening stand and spinners then made regular breakthroughs to keep the home side under pressure.
Shakib and Mahmudullah steadied the innings with 54 for the seventh wicket before Mpofu struck again to dismiss Mahmudullah, caught by Chamu Chibhabha at long on for 14.
Mpofu then got rid of Shakib, top scorer with 63 from 65 balls, leaving Bangladesh on 195-9 before a fourth run out finally sank them.
Earlier, left-arm spinner Abdur Razzak took four for 41 to help restrict Zimbabwe to 209 all out. Regis Chakabva, playing only his second ODI, top scored with 45.
The second match is at the same venue tomorrow.
