116/10 (33.1)
CR : 3.50
141/10 (36.4)
CR : 3.85
Zimbabwe won by 25 runs 🏆
Player of the Match
Newman Nyamhuri
2/2233(51)
Lowest Totals Defended by Zimbabwe in ODIs:
129 vs Afghanistan, Harare, 2017
134 vs England, Albury, 1992
138 vs West Indies, Sydney, 2001
141 vs Bangladesh, Harare, 2026, Today*
175 vs Afghanistan, Sharjah, 2016
129 vs Afghanistan, Harare, 2017
134 vs England, Albury, 1992
138 vs West Indies, Sydney, 2001
141 vs Bangladesh, Harare, 2026, Today*
175 vs Afghanistan, Sharjah, 2016
Fewest Matches Taken to Three Five-Wicket Hauls in ODIs:
9 - Mustafizur Rahman (Bangladesh)
14 - Nahid Rana (Bangladesh)
16 - Ryan Harris (Australia)
17 - Ajantha Mendis (Sri Lanka), Mitchell Starc (Australia)
9 - Mustafizur Rahman (Bangladesh)
14 - Nahid Rana (Bangladesh)
16 - Ryan Harris (Australia)
17 - Ajantha Mendis (Sri Lanka), Mitchell Starc (Australia)
Brad Evans (Zimbabwe): (On Zimbabwe's bowling performance) "I think bowling while defending a total like that is quite simple because you've got nothing to lose. What we wanted to show everyone was that we're a team of fighters. We fight for every ball, and when everyone does that together, it's fun to watch and fun to be a part of.
(On defending 141) I thought we bowled really well. We got off to a great start with the bat before we had a collapse, but that ninth-wicket partnership got us to a competitive total. We were saying in the dressing room that 120 was something we could bowl at, so we just kept things simple, and it worked.
(On staying patient during Bangladesh's partnership) It was about persisting and trusting that a collapse was around the corner. In a low-scoring game, two wickets can completely change the match. We kept reminding ourselves in the huddle that we'd rather be in our position than theirs, and we believed that throughout.
(On the team's mindset) We just kept fighting every single ball, trusted our plans, and backed ourselves. That belief made all the difference."
(On defending 141) I thought we bowled really well. We got off to a great start with the bat before we had a collapse, but that ninth-wicket partnership got us to a competitive total. We were saying in the dressing room that 120 was something we could bowl at, so we just kept things simple, and it worked.
(On staying patient during Bangladesh's partnership) It was about persisting and trusting that a collapse was around the corner. In a low-scoring game, two wickets can completely change the match. We kept reminding ourselves in the huddle that we'd rather be in our position than theirs, and we believed that throughout.
(On the team's mindset) We just kept fighting every single ball, trusted our plans, and backed ourselves. That belief made all the difference."
Time for the Post-Match Presentations....
Mehidy Hasan Miraz (Bangladesh Captain): "[On their bowling] Yes, I think we bowled really well, especially Nahid Rana. He took six wickets. That was excellent. And yes, we can get better in a few areas, but they got a partnership for the ninth wicket. Those are crucial runs, the 63-run great partnership. And yes, a little bit disappointed with our batting unit.
[On Nahid Rana's 6-fer] That was great. And I think Nahid Rana, the platform we built for the last few series, the way they bowled, that was excellent. And I hope that if we continue, it will definitely be better for our team. We can do better, but we have to bowl in the right area. But they made a very good partnership. Both batters played really well at that time.
[Concerns in batting?] Yes! If we had got a partnership in the first 10 overs, it would definitely have been better, but we didn't. And we have to take responsibility for that. You know, 142 runs aren't easy in those conditions, but we're still trying. If we make a partnership first, it would be better."
[On Nahid Rana's 6-fer] That was great. And I think Nahid Rana, the platform we built for the last few series, the way they bowled, that was excellent. And I hope that if we continue, it will definitely be better for our team. We can do better, but we have to bowl in the right area. But they made a very good partnership. Both batters played really well at that time.
[Concerns in batting?] Yes! If we had got a partnership in the first 10 overs, it would definitely have been better, but we didn't. And we have to take responsibility for that. You know, 142 runs aren't easy in those conditions, but we're still trying. If we make a partnership first, it would be better."
PLAYER OF THE MATCH: NEWMAN NYAMHURI
Newman Nyamhuri (Player of the Match): (On his performance) "I'm really happy that I was able to do the job for the team.
(On defending a total of 141) Before we went out to field, we kept telling each other that we were still in the game. We just had to fight and give everything we had on the field.
(On his partnership with the captain, Richard Ngarava) He kept telling me to focus on one ball at a time, stay in there, and wait for the loose balls.
(On the pitch conditions) I think the pitch really favoured the bowlers. It was doing quite a lot."
(On defending a total of 141) Before we went out to field, we kept telling each other that we were still in the game. We just had to fight and give everything we had on the field.
(On his partnership with the captain, Richard Ngarava) He kept telling me to focus on one ball at a time, stay in there, and wait for the loose balls.
(On the pitch conditions) I think the pitch really favoured the bowlers. It was doing quite a lot."
Richard Ngarava (Zimbabwe Captain): (On the team's belief while defending a low total) "The discussion in the dressing room was that, as Zimbabweans, we're capable of coming through any situation. We believed we could fight our way out of it.
(On defending 141) Yeah, I always believed. We know who we are. As we've said before, we fight until the very end, and that's exactly what we did.
(On Zimbabwe's ninth-wicket partnership) We just wanted to keep things simple. Watch the ball closely, play according to what it was doing, and let the ball tell you what shot to play.
(On leading the team to victory) It's a great feeling. We've had a few new players come into the side, and to start the ODI series with a win is exciting. Hopefully, we can continue like this.
(On the support from the fans) I'm really happy that we were able to put smiles on the fans' faces. Not just me, but the whole team. Seeing the support in the crowd was special. They're our 12th man, and it's great to have them behind us."
(On defending 141) Yeah, I always believed. We know who we are. As we've said before, we fight until the very end, and that's exactly what we did.
(On Zimbabwe's ninth-wicket partnership) We just wanted to keep things simple. Watch the ball closely, play according to what it was doing, and let the ball tell you what shot to play.
(On leading the team to victory) It's a great feeling. We've had a few new players come into the side, and to start the ODI series with a win is exciting. Hopefully, we can continue like this.
(On the support from the fans) I'm really happy that we were able to put smiles on the fans' faces. Not just me, but the whole team. Seeing the support in the crowd was special. They're our 12th man, and it's great to have them behind us."
Zimbabwe have won a historic game here at Harare and they continue their winning run in the series having won the Test match by an innings earlier. Bangladesh have a lot of thinking to do as they will be disappointed at how they let the game slip away from their hands. Both the sides will be eager to get back and win the second game. For Zimbabwe it will be about sealing the series while Bangladesh will look to bounce back and level the series.
That will be all from our side as we come to the end of this first ODI between Zimbabwe and Bangladesh. For now, it is Soumarya Dutta signing off on behalf of my co-commentators Dev and Pritam, along with our Scorer/Analyst Yogesh Kumar. See you soon!