Sports Desk

Bangladesh secured a convincing 8-wicket victory over Zimbabwe in the first T20I at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium, with debutant Tanzid Hasan Tamim playing a starring role.

Despite two rain interruptions, Bangladesh chased down the target of 125 with ease, taking a 1-0 lead in the five-match series.

Earlier, Bangladesh's bowlers, led by Taskin Ahmed's impressive 3-wicket haul, restricted Zimbabwe to a modest 124 runs. Saifuddin also chipped in with three wickets, while Mahedi Hasan claimed two.

Zimbabwe's batting lineup crumbled under pressure, losing five wickets for just five runs in a dramatic collapse in the middle of the innings. Clive Madande (43) and Wellington Masakadza (34) provided some late resistance, but it wasn't enough to set a challenging total.

In reply, Bangladesh got off to a shaky start, losing Litton Das early. However, debutant Tanzid took center stage with a brilliant innings. He anchored the chase with a well-paced 67 not out, showcasing his composure and stroke-making ability.

“The way Tanzid batted really helped our team and I hope he will continue his form,” Najmul Hossain Shanto, Bangladesh’s captain, praised Tanzid after the match.

Towhid Hridoy provided valuable support with a quickfire 33, ensuring Bangladesh reached the target comfortably in just 15.2 overs despite the rain delays.

Taskin Ahmed was awarded Player of the Match for his outstanding bowling performance. However, the spotlight belonged to Tanzid, who marked his T20I debut with a memorable half-century, leading Bangladesh to a convincing victory and setting the stage for an exciting series.