HARARE: Zimbabwean batters Innocent Kaia and Sikandar Raza smashed a century each to power the hosts seal a consolidating five-wicket victory over Bangladesh by five wickets in the first ODI on Friday.
Set to chase a massive 304, Zimbabwe comfortably steered to victory in the 49th over with five wickets to spare, thanks to the brilliant centuries from Raza and Kaia.
The hosts were off to a dismal start to their run chase as they lost both their openers Regis Chakabva and Tarisai Musakanda cheaply for a combined score of six in the second over.
Right-handed middle-order batter Wessly Madhevere, who put on an important 56-run partnership for the third wicket with Kaia, walked back to the pavilion in the 14th over. He scored 19 off 27 deliveries with the help of two boundaries.
Kaia then joined hands with newly-arrived Raza and anchored the run chase with an astounding 192-run partnership.
Veteran right-handed batter Raza remained the major contributor in the match-defining partnership as he scored at a decent pace to bring up his fifth century.
Kaia, on the other hand, remained a little cautious in the proceedings before falling prey to Mosaddek Hossain in the 42nd over. The right-handed batter scored 110 off 122 deliveries, laced with 11 boundaries and two sixes.
Following his departure, Raza then put on a brief partnership with Luke Jongwe, who scored a quick 24 off 19 balls, to make sure to drive his side over the finishing line. The right-handed batter top-scored with an unbeaten 135 off 109 deliveries including eight boundaries and six sixes.
For Bangladesh, Hossain, Mehidy Hassan Miraz, Shoriful Islam, and Mustafizur Rahman struck out a batter apiece.
Batting first, Bangladesh batting line-up also displayed a combined effort with four of their top-order batters scoring half-centuries and setting a decent 303/2 on the board in the allotted 50 overs.
The touring openers, however, remained a touch slow in the proceedings, which, in the end, resulted in halting Bangladesh to put on a massive target despite the quick half-centuries from Anamul Haque and Mushfiqur Rahim.
Left-handed opener Tamim Iqbal scored 62 off 88 deliveries, while his partner Litton Das top-scored for the side with an 89-ball 81 before being retired hurt.
Right-handed batter Haque remained the second top-scorer for the side as he scored 73 off 62 deliveries, laced with six boundaries and three sixes, while Rahim remained unbeaten with 52 off 49 deliveries.
For Zimbabwe, Victor Nyauchi and Raza could make one scalp each.
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