Rahman struck four boundaries and a six during his knock of 46

Image courtesy of: ESPNcricinfo

Bangladesh batsman Sabbir Rahman scored a brilliant 46 to help his side down Zimbabwe by four wickets in the first Twenty20 International in Khulna.

Zimbabwe captain Elton Chigumbura would have been thrilled with his decision to bat first initially as Hamilton Masakadza and Vusi Sibanda amassed a 101-run partnership before Sibanda was dismissed by Shakib Al Hasan for 46.

Masakadza went on to score 79 off 53 deliveries, which included nine boundaries and two sixes, before he was run out by debutant Nurul Hasan.

Masakadza scored a valiant 79

Image courtesy of: ESPNcricinfo

Following Masakadza’s dismissal, Zimbabwe’s batting line-up crumbled as they went from 150/3 to finishing on 163/7 off their 20 overs.

Al-Amin Hossain and Mustafizur Rahman picked up two wickets apiece, while Al Hasan took one.

Chasing 164 to win, Bangladesh did not get off to the best of starts as they kept losing wickets at regular intervals. However, Rahman’s knock of 46, which came off 36 balls and included four boundaries and a six, put them back on the right track.

Even though Bangladesh lost Mushfiqur Rahim and Mahmudullah shortly after Rahman was dismissed, Bangladesh still reached their target with eight balls to spare thanks to Al Hasan’s quickfire innings of 20 not out.

Graeme Cremer was the most successful bowler with two wickets, while Luke Jongwe, Sean Williams and Wellington Masakadza claimed one wicket each.

Hamilton Masakadza was named Man of the Match.