Ziaur Five Bowls Bangladesh to Big Win

Ziaur Rahman's maiden five-wicket haul in just his fourth one-day international saw Bangladesh record a comprehensive 121-run victory over Zimbabwe in the first of a three-match series in Bulawayo.

After Shafiul Islam's strikes put Zimbabwe on the back foot early in their chase of 270, Ziaur's five for 30 snuffed out any hope of a revival as the hosts were bowled out for 148.
Although Bangladesh have a healthy record at Queens Sports Club, winning six out of eight one-dayers before this encounter, the margin by which Zimbabwe lost led captain Brendan Taylor to brand the defeat a "shocker".
Despite losing Regis Chakabva and Pakistan-born debutant Sikandar Raza in the opening four overs of their reply, Zimbabwe recovered through Taylor's 33 and Hamilton Masakadza's 38.
However, when Taylor was bowled by Abdur Razzak the floodgates soon opened, as Zimbabwe lost four wickets without adding a run to slump to 93 for seven.
Three of those dismissals were to Ziaur, who returned later to find reverse swing and grab the wickets of Malcolm Waller and Tinashe Panyangara.
When Shingirai Masakadza's spirited knock of 33 from as many deliveries was ended by Robiul Islam, Bangladesh had a handsome victory.
Bangladesh were also indebted to Nasir Hossain, who continued his good form with the bat in rescuing Bangladesh from a mid-innings collapse.
The tourists made a steady start after being put in to bat - with Tamim Iqbal and Mohammad Ashraful putting on 65 for the first wicket - only for Shingirai Masakadza to remove the pair in his opening two overs and then Mushfiqur Rahim in his fifth.
With Shakib Al Hasan also run out for a single, Bangladesh had slumped to 94 for four, but Nasir came in with confidence high after his 77 and 67 not out in Bangladesh's second-Test victory.
He duly added 76 with Mominul Haque, then 44 in seven overs with Mahmudullah, before holing out to deep point for a run-a-ball 68.
Shingirai Masakadza's 4 for 51 was somewhat negated by the 18 wides Zimbabwe bowled, but ultimately it was the home side's batting and Ziaur's bowling that ensured a one-sided result.

Brief scores
Bangladesh 269 for 8 (Nasir 68, S Masakadza 4-51) 
Zimbabwe 148 (H Masakadza 38, Ziaur 5-30)
Result Bangladesh won by 121 runs 
MOM Ziaur Rahman (Bangladesh)

Bangladesh Record Biggest ODI Win

Anamul Haque became the third youngest Bangladeshi to hit a hundred before the home team spun out the West Indies for their biggest one-day win of 160 runs in Khulna on Sunday.
Anamul scored a dominating 120 in Bangladesh's imposing 292-6 before spinners Abdur Razzak (3-19) and Sohag Gazi (3-21) dismissed the tourists for a low score of 132 in 31.1 overs in the second one-day for a 2-0 lead in the five-match series.
Bangladesh won Friday's first match by seven wickets, also in Khulna.
But the hosts took a giant leap on Sunday as they achieved their biggest one-day win, improving on their 146-run win over Scotland in Dhaka six years ago.
The West Indies were never in the hunt for the big target chase, losing wickets at regular intervals as the Bangladeshi spinners once again made stroke-play difficult for the batsmen on a slow Sheikh Abu Naser Stadium pitch.
Only Darren Bravo (28) and Kieron Pollard (25) offered some resistance as the top-order West Indian batsmen Chris Gayle (15), Marlon Samuels (16) and Lendl Simmons (nine) failed once more.
Gayle hit two boundaries and a six before edging paceman Mashrafe Mortaza to wicket-keeper Mushfiqur Rahim, while Simmons and Samuels were dismissed by Gazi who remained the best home bowler in Tests and one-days.
Bravo added 41 for the third wicket with Samuels before left-arm spinner Razzak struck thrice, dismissing Dwayne Smith (nought) in his second over and had Bravo and Devon Thomas (nought) in his fourth.
Earlier, it was the 19-year-old right-hander Anamul who in only his second one-day set up the win with a solid 174-run partnership with Rahim (79).
Anamul pulled a short ball from Ravi Rampaul in the 47th over to become the third youngest Bangladeshi and the eighth youngest in the world to score a century, behind countrymen Tamim Iqbal and Shakib Al Hasan.
Anamul faced 145 balls and hit 13 fours and two sixes, lifting the innings during a sixth wicket stand of 64 with Mominul Haque (31) as the hosts scored 86 in the last 10 overs.
The Anamul-Rahim stand is a new record for Bangladesh-West Indies one-days, beating the 146 between Ramnaresh Sarwan and Marlon Samuels in Dhaka 10 years ago.
It also becomes the highest total by Bangladesh in all one-days against the West Indies, improving on 276-7 they scored in Dominica three years ago.
Bangladesh had lost Tamim Iqbal (five) and Naeem Islam (six) by the seventh over but Anamul and Rahim repaired the innings.
Paceman Rampaul was the best among the tourists, finishing with a career-best 5-49.

Brief scores
Bangladesh 292 for 6 (Anamul 120, Mushfiqur 79, Rampaul 5-49)
West Indies 132 (Gazi 3-21, Razzak 3-19)
Result Bangladesh won by 160 runs
MOM: Anamul Haque (Bangladesh)

Bangladesh Name Uncapped Gazi for Windies Test

Bangladesh have named uncapped off-spinner Shohag Gazi in their 14-member squad for the first Test against West Indies beginning in Dhaka on Tuesday.
Hasan, a 20-year-old fast bowler from Sylhet, has played four Twenty20 internationals for Bangladesh this year. In six first-class games, he's taken eight wickets at 43.37 apiece. Gazi, 21, has 87 wickets at an average of 24 from 18 first-class games for Barisal.
Gazi's selection was a reward for his impressive performance in the ongoing National Cricket League where the 21-year-old claimed 11 wickets in two matches, including a hat-trick, and hit a century.
Pace bowler Rubel Hossain returned to the side, led by stumper Mushfiqur Rahim, after a long injury lay-off.
There was no such joy for former captain Mohammad Ashraful, who was replaced by Naeem Islam in the side.
Khulna hosts the second and final Test from November 21.

Bangladesh Test squad:

• Mushfiqur Rahim (captain & wk)
• Mahmudullah (vice-capt)
• Tamim Iqbal
• Junaid Siddique
• Shahriar Nafees
• Shakib Al Hasan
• Naeem Islam
• Nazimuddin
• Nasir Hossain
• Elias Sunny
• Shahadat Hossain
• Rubel Hossain
• Abul Hasan
• Shohag Gazi

Nazir Takes Pakistan into Super 8

Imran Nazir played a cracker of an innings to help Pakistan qualify for the Super Eights stage of T20 World Cup after 8-wicket victory over Bangladesh.
Bangladesh's Abul Hasan struck twice in one over to remove Imran Nazir and Mohammad Hafeez.
Imran Nazir hammered Bangladesh bowlers all over the park to slam 25-ball fifty and lead the Pakistan chase. He played a rollicking knock as he scored 36-ball 72 with the help of nine fours and three sixes.
Chasing 176-run target, Mohammad Hafeez and Nazir gave Pakistan blistering as they took team's fifty in just 29 balls to set the foundation. Nazir started dealing with fours and sixes to put Bangladesh bowlers on the backfoot.
Earlier, Shakib Al Hasan led from the front as he notched up 84 off 54 balls to help Bangladesh post the stiff 176-run target for Pakistan.
Shakib smacked 11 fours and two sixes in his flamboyant knock to power Bangladesh to 175/6 in 20 overs.
Bangladesh lost Mushfiqur Rahim and Mahmudullah in quick succession after Shakib Al Hasan's brisk fifty. Yasir Arafat and Shahid Afridi struck to scalp Rahim and Mahmudullah respectively in quick succession to dent Bangladesh's run charge.
Shakib and Mushfiqur added 68 runs for the third wicket to consolidate Bangladesh. Shakib slammed a quickfire 33-ball fifty that included seven fours and two sixes. Shakib reached his fifty in style after sending the ball over the ropes.
Tamim Iqbal got run-out in an unlucky manner when he lost his balance after being sent back by Shakib Al Hasan. Iqbal played a fine cameo with his 24 off just 12 balls that included five boundaries.
Bangladesh made the maximum use of the mandatory powerplay as they collected 61 runs in six overs with the loss of their openers.
Bangladesh lost Mohammad Ashraful after their openers gave blistering start against Pakistan. Ashraful and Tamim Iqbal added 34-run stand in just 20 balls to set the pace for Bangladesh after skipper Mushfiqur Rahim won the toss and decided to bat against Pakistan.
Sohail Tanvir dismissed Ashraful to give Pakistan crucial breakthrough after the batsman hammered three boundaries in his 13 balls stay at the crease.

Brief scores
Bangladesh 175 for 6 (Shakib Al Hasan 84, Yasir Arafat 3-25)
Pakistan 178 for 2 (Nazir 72, Hafeez 45, Abul Hasan 2-33)
Result Pakistan won by 8 wickets
Points Pakistan 2, Bangladesh 0
MOM Imran Nazir (Pakistan)

Kiwis Take on Bangladesh at Pallekele

Two giant-killers who have a reputation of disturbing set calculations will be up against each other when New Zealand and Bangladesh clash in their opening Group D match of the World Twenty20 on Friday.
Both Bangladesh and New Zealand are known to raise the bar when it comes to performing at major ICC events and it would be interesting to see which of the two manages to go a notch higher in the one-on-one battle.
New Zealand's build up to the event has been far from ideal as three of their key players, including inspirational former skipper Daniel Vettori and pacer Tim Southee, have been laid low by gastroenteritis.
The Kiwis' warm-up campaign was also disappointing as they lost both their matches. It has been a far from ideal stay in the island nation so far for them but New Zealand's cricketers are well known for fighting through the odds and put up creditable performances.
Led by an in-form and explosive Ross Taylor, the Kiwis seem a decent Twenty20 side with hard-hitting stars such Brendon McCullum and veteran all-rounder Jacob Oram.
In Kane Williamson, they have discovered a top-order batsman who can provide steady starts. But their major problem remains inconsistency and the failure to click as a unit.
Despite a seemingly balanced line-up on paper, the Kiwis have more often than not been guilty of throwing it away from strong positions.
Their bowling department is faced with similar problems but Vettori could prove to be their trump card on the turning tracks here.
Bangladesh, on the other hand, are a sprightly mix which lost one and won one practice game heading into the big event.
Most of the team's players are in their early 20s and what could work to their advantage is the comfort of the playing in home-like conditions.
The likes of Tamim Iqbal, Shakib Al Hasan and skipper Mushfiqur Rahim hold the key to their batting fortunes while Mashrafe Mortaza and Abdur Razzak will be leading the bowling department.
What the Tigers would be banking on is the element of surprise they bring in. Diminutive they might be in physical appearance but their lion-hearted approach to the game has won Bangladesh's cricketers many an applause.
Given their similar fearless approach, it seems to be an interesting clash of the underdogs.

Teams from

Bangladesh: Abdur Razzak, Abul Hasan, Al-Amin Hossain, Alauddin Babu, Alok Kapali, Anamul Haque, Elias Sunny, Enamul Haque Jnr, Farhad Reza, Imrul Kayes, Jahurul Islam, Junaid Siddique, Kazi Kamrul Islam, Mahmudullah, Mashrafe Mortaza, Mohammad Ashraful, Mominul Haque, Mushfiqur Rahim (captain & wk), Naeem Islam, Nasir Hossain, Nazmul Hossain, Raqibul Hasan, Sabbir Rahman, Shafiul Islam, Shahadat Hossain, Shakib Al Hasan, Shuvagata Hom, Sohag Gazi, Tamim Iqbal, Ziaur Rahman.

New Zealand: Ross Taylor (captain), Doug Bracewell, James Franklin, Martin Guptill, Ronnie Hira, Brendon McCullum, Nathan McCullum, Kyle Mills, Adam Milne, Rob Nicol, Jacob Oram, Tim Southee, Daniel Vettori, BJ Watling, Kane Williamson.

Pitch and conditions
The weather, however, could ruin the contest, as there is forecast of rain in the area at noon on Friday.

Zimbabwe Score 264/2, Zimbabwe vs Bangladesh Watch Cricket

Zimbabwe vs BangladeshWatch Cricket Score Ball by Ball  Click Here  &  Click Here

Zimbabwe marked their return from a six-year exile by racking up an impressive 264 for two against Bangladesh on the first day of a one-off Test at the Harare Sports Club on Thursday.
All four of Zimbabwe's top batsmen made runs with Hamilton Masakadza finishing the day unbeaten on 88 with seven fours and a six as he closes in on a second Test century.
Masakadza made his first century 10 years ago on his debut at the age of 17, scoring 119 against West Indies on this same ground.
New skipper Brendan Taylor was also undefeated on Thursday, having made a steady 40 off 108 balls.
Debutant opener Tinotenda Mawoyo made 43 while Vusi Sibanda smashed 78, with seven fours and one six, as the two put on 102 for the first wicket.
"I cannot compliment our guys enough," said Taylor. "The way the openers stuck it out and the platform of Hamilton and myself in the final session was perfect - you cannot ask more than that. Tomorrow we must stay focussed."
After losing the toss, and being put into bat on a greenish wicket by Bangladesh captain Shakib al Hassan, Zimbabwe constructed a foundation for what could be a winning score.
Zimbabwe's batsmen mixed caution with aggression, allowing few chances especially after a scare in the second over of the day when Sibanda was very nearly run out.
Bangladesh, already defeated by a Zimbabwe X1 in a three-day tour match at the weekend, looked shell-shocked by the day's end.
Only 21-year-old medium-pacer Rubel Hossain got wickets and finished with two for 58 off 18 overs.

Mawoyo was the first to fall, caught by Mahmudullah at deep backward point with Sibanda the second to go, midway through the afternoon session, when he edged a short ball to wicketkeeper Mushfiqur Rahim.
Despite the return of Test cricket, the match only attracted fewer than 1,000 people.
But the performance of the Zimbabwe had International Cricket Council chief executive Haroon Lorgat feeling optimistic over the team's future in the five-day game.

Brief scores
Zimbabwe 264 for 2 (Masakadza 88*, Sibanda 78, Hossain 2-58)

Surprise Win for Zimbabweans in Warm-up Match

Bangladesh looked to be in charge when the day started, having reduced the hosts to three for two on Sunday evening as they went in chase of the 223 they needed for victory.Foster Mutizwa shocked the Bangladesh tourists on Monday when he scored 87 to take a Zimbabwe XI to victory in their three-day encounter, the only warm-up match before the one-off Test later in the week.
However, Sikandar Raza and Regis Chakabva dropped anchor and took the score to 43 before Chakabva fell leg before to Shakib Al Hasan,
That brought in the 25 year-old Mutizwa who proceeded to see the Zimbabweans across the line with an unbeaten 87 from 165 balls with four fours and two sixes.
The key partnership came when he added 84 with Craig Ervine, who made 42, for the sixth wicket. Malcolm Waller then ensured that the Zimbabweans collected a confidence boosting win with 22 not out.

Mutize, however, did not do enough to warrant selection in the Test which will be Zimbabwe's first since they were thrashed by New Zealand on home soil in 2005.

The two sides will also play five one-day internationals.

Brief scores
Bangladeshis 188 (Mushfiqur 64, Ncube 3-40) and 147 (Shakib 40, Utseya 3-25)
Zimbabwe XI 113 (Robiul 3-33, Shafiul 3-36) and 225 for 6 (Mutizwa 87*, Ervine 42)
Results Zimbabwe XI won by four wickets

Taylor To Leads in Zimbabwe's Test Return

"They have come a long way in the last six months especially," he said. Brendan Taylor was handed the responsibility of leading Zimbabwe back into Test cricket after a six-year hiatus when he was named as captain in a 14-man squad for the one-off Test against Bangladesh which starts on Thursday. 
It will be Zimbabwe's first Test since they were thrashed by New Zealand on home soil in 2005. 
Political turmoil with the cricket administration and a string of humiliating performances led them to suspend their involvement in Test cricket although they have continued to play one-day internationals and T20 internationals at the highest level. 
The 25-year-old Taylor, who was fast-tracked into the national side as an 18-year-old back in 2003 during an earlier crisis in Zimbabwe cricket, is one of a clutch of players who have experience of the Test arena. 
He is joined by the likes of Hamilton Masakadza, who made a century on debut at the age of 17 against the West Indies ten years ago and former captain Tatenda Taibu whose 24 Tests make him the most capped of the Zimbabwe squad. 
Left-arm spinner Ray Price brings the experience of 18 Tests while Elton Chigumbura, Christopher Mpofu, Vusimusi Sibanda and Prosper Utseya have 16 between them. 
Experienced one-day player Craig Ervine is in line to make his Test debut but there is no place for Foster Mutizwa who made a battling 87 not out on Monday as a Zimbabwe XI beat the tourists in the three-day warm-up game. 
Zimbabwe's first Test in six years is being used as a yardstick to see whether they are ready to return fully to the Test circuit although chairman of selectors Alistair Campbell suggested judgement should only be made after they play Pakistan next month and New Zealand later in the year. 
National coach Alan Butcher, the former England batsman, said he thought Zimbabwe would be a balanced side, strong in all departments. 

Bangladesh have not played a Test for 14 months since their tour to England last year. 

Squad: Zimbabwe: Brendan Taylor (capt), Regis Chakabva, Elton Chigumbura, Craig Ervine, Kyle Jarvis, Hamilton Masakadza, Tinotenda Mayoyo, Keegan Meth, Christopher Mpofu, Raymond Price, Vusimusi Sibanda, Tatenda Taibu, Prosper Utseya, Brian Vitoriu.

Bangladesh Close in on Warm-up Win in Zimbabwe

Bangladesh's batting crumbled for a second time at the Harare Sports Club on Sunday but the tourists remain on course to win their only warm-up game against a Zimbabwe XI before next week's one-off Test.
At the close of the second day, the hosts were struggling in their quest for the 223 they need for victory having scored just three runs for the loss of opener Tino Mawoyo and number three Kyle Jarvis.
Resuming on 42 for four in their first innings, Zimbabwe slipped to 113 all out on Sunday morning, conceding a deficit of 75, as Shafiul Islam and Rohiul Islam took three wickets each.
When Bangladesh batted again, they continued to find it hard going on a pitch that Zimbabwe bowling coach Heath Streak described as "two-paced and rather unreliable."
Shakib Al Hasan top-scored with 40 as the Bangladeshis were bowled out for 147, setting the hosts 223 to win.
The match is being played under special rules that allow 13-a-side with only 11 batting and 11 on the field at one time.
Zimbabwe are fielding only five of the possible Test team that will face Bangladesh here from Thursday. It will be Zimbabwe's first Test since they were thrashed by New Zealand on home soil in 2005.

The two sides will also play five one-day internationals.

Brief scores
Bangladeshis 188 and 147 (Shakib 40, Utseya 3-25)
Zimbabwe XI 113 and 3 for 2 (Islam 1-0)
Status Zimbabwe XI need by 221 runs to win