HARARE: Zimbabwean batsmen Innocent Kaia and Sikandar Raza smashed a century apiece to power the hosts to seal a five-wicket consolidated victory over Bangladesh for five wickets in the first ODI on Friday.
Ready to chase down a massive 304, Zimbabwe comfortably drove to victory in the 49th with five wickets to spare, thanks to brilliant centuries from Raza and Kaia.
The hosts got off to a dismal start to their run chase as they lost their starters Regis Chakabva and Tarisai Musakanda narrowly by a combined score of six in the second over.
Middle-order right-handed batsman Wessly Madhevere, who made an important 56-run partnership for the third wicket with Kaia, returned to the pavilion in the 14th. He scored 19 of 27 deliveries with the help of two bounds.
Kaia then joined the newcomer Raza and anchored the ground chase with an astounding 192-run partnership.
Veteran right-handed batsman Raza remained the main contributor in the match-defining partnership as he scored at a decent pace to reach his fifth century.
Kaia, on the other hand, was a bit cautious in the proceedings before falling prey to Mosaddek Hossain in the 42nd. The right-handed hitter scored 110 on 122 delivery, tied with 11 bounds and two sixes.
After his departure, Raza briefly teamed up with Luke Jongwe, who scored a quick 24 from 19 balls, to ensure he got his team to the finish line.
The right-handed hitter was the leading scorer with an unbeaten 135 in 109 deliveries, including eight bounds and six sixes.
For Bangladesh, Hossain, Mehidy Hassan Miraz, Shoriful Islam and Mustafizur Rahman each struck out one batter.
Batting first, the Bangladesh batting line-up also showed a combined effort with four of their top batsmen scoring half a century and setting up a decent 303/2 on the board in the allotted 50 overs.
However, the early days of the tour remained a bit slow in the proceedings, which, in the end, resulted in stopping Bangladesh from becoming a massive target despite quick half-centuries from Anamul Haque and Mushfiqur Rahim.
Left-handed starter Tamim Iqbal went 62-for-88 while teammate Litton Das led the team with 81-for-89 before retiring injured.
Right-handed hitter Haque remained the team’s second-leading scorer as he hit 73-of-62, combined with six bounds and three sixes, while Rahim remained undefeated at 52-of-49.
For Zimbabwe, Victor Nyauchi and Raza could win a scalp each.
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