Zimbabwe won a thrilling encounter against favourites Bangladesh at the Shere Bangla stadium in Dhaka by nine runs. Chasing 210 for a win, the Bangladeshis were all out for 200 with one over to spare.
The toss was won by Shakib al Hasan, who surprisingly elected to field first after having won most of the games at the ground batting first. The Zimbabweans were given a very good start by the opening pair of Brendan Taylor and Justice Chibhabha – selected in place of Hamilton Masakadza.
However, it was the first wicket of Chibhabha that led to a quick fall of another two. From 53/0 in the tenth over, the side collapsed to 71/3 in the 14th over. The fall of wickets was stalled by the pair of Tatenda Taibu and Regis Chakabva but their 23-runs stand took 11 overs coming and that led to frustration in the ranks.
In turn, Taibu tried to hit Suhrawadi Shuvo out of the park and was dismissed to leave the visitors at less than 100 at the half way stage.
Fortunately for the side, there was a fifth wicket stand of 65 runs between Chakabva and Craig Ervine that took them out of trouble. Both scored 40s and it was evident that once they got out there would be no-one behind them to make amends. 
The rest of the side capitulated and were bowled out for 209 in 49 overs.
Bangladesh needed to score only 210 for the win and with a 44-run stand for the first wicket put them in the driver’s seat. However, a bad decision by the umpire that saw Tamim Iqbal being given out leg-before to a ball that pitched outside the leg-stump ended his innings. The rest of the team, save Shakib al Hasan, kept losing wickets at regular intervals as the Zimbabwean spinners tightened the noose around the opposition.
Chris Mpofu took three wickets but the combined total of 3/64 off 20 overs from Prosper Utseya and Ray Price changed things around.
However, even with Shakib at the crease, it looked like the game was going to be in Bangladesh’s pockets as they needed 23 off 21 for a win with the captain still at the crease.
The pressure told on the batsmen and an array of rash strokes and poor running between the wickets ended the side ten runs short of the win.
The second ODI will be played at the same venue on Friday.