Masakadza Blasts Zimbabwe To Victory In Opener

Masakadza Blasts Zimbabwe To Victory In Opener

Hamilton Masakadza scored a brisk half-century as Zimbabwe beat Bangladesh in Harare

©REUTERS / Action Images

Zimbabwe 154-6 (Masakadza 62) beat
Bangladesh 143-5 by 11 runs
Tri-Nations Twenty20 Tournament, Harare

Hamilton Masakadza blasted 62 in 35 balls as Zimbabwe beat Bangladesh by 11 runs in the opening game of the Twenty20 tri-series they are hosting in Harare.

His innings helped the home side reach 154 for six and in reply, Bangladesh closed on 143 for five, Christopher Mpofu impressing with two for 20.

Masakadza struck six fours and four sixes during his innings and captain Brendan Taylor hit 38 in 41 balls while Stuart Matsikenyeri made 18 in 16 balls.

Abul Hasan took two for 37 for Bangladesh and there was a wicket apiece for Mashrafe Mortaza and Elias Sunny.

Tamim Iqbal (38), Mohammad Ashraful (22) and Ziaur Rahman (23) got the run chase off to a strong start before they were pegged back, Mpofu removing the dangerous Iqbal and Rahman.

Zimbabwe maintained the pressure on Bangladesh and despite an unbeaten 29 in 15 balls from Nasir Hossain, the tourists were unable to overhaul their target.

The series continues when Bangladesh play South Africa tomorrow (19th June).

© Cricket World 2012