Imrul ensures win for Bangladesh

In the first One-Day International (ODI) of the ongoing three-match series between Bangladesh and Zimbabwe, held at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium at Mirpur on Sunday, the home side celebrated a marvellous win.

Bangladesh did not begin well. During the first hour of the match they lost a number of wickets and the score was paltry. The team made a turn-around as Imrul stayed at the crease till the 49th over and scored 144, his third ODI hundred. He hit 13 boundaries and six sixers off 118 balls. Imrul was involved in three crucial partnerships. Mithun and Saifuddin ably supported him.

Bangladeshi bowlers seemed to choke the life out of the Zimbabwean batting side. Eventually, Zimbabwe scored 243 runs in 50 overs after losing nine wickets.

Such wins tend to raise the confidence level of players in a team. Now Bangladesh has a lead of 1-0 in this ODI series. I hope that the Tigers will seal the series in their 2nd ODI which will take place on October 24 in Chattogram followed by the last match on October 26, also to be held in the port city.

Mohammad Sohel Hara

Banasree, Dhaka

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