Twitter Reactions: Bangladesh enforce dramatic Zimbabwe collapse in series opener
Bangladesh's decision to bowl first after winning the toss seemed strategic, and their bowlers backed it up with a commendable display.
Chattogram witnessed a rollercoaster of emotions as Zimbabwe faced Bangladesh in the inaugural T20 of the five-match series at Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium. Bangladesh's decision to bowl first after winning the toss seemed strategic, and their bowlers backed it up with a commendable display.
The game kicked off with Zimbabwe losing their first wicket early, with Craig Ervine (0 off 2) falling victim to a stunning delivery by off-spin all-rounder Mahedi Hasan (4-1-16-2). Despite a brief partnership between Brian Bennett and Joylord Gumbie, Zimbabwe struggled to gain momentum. The debutant's departure happened as the scorecard read 36/2 at the end of five overs. Little did the visitors know that Gumbie's dismissal marked the beginning of a colossal collapse.
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From a promising 36 for one, Zimbabwe spiralled downward, losing six wickets, adding just five more runs in the process. The downfall started with Brian Bennett's run-out, a result of exceptional fielding by Bangladesh. Hasan further intensified the pressure by dismissing Sikandar Raza with a golden duck.
Taskin Ahmed's fiery spell added to Zimbabwe's woes, claiming the wickets of Sean Williams and Ryan Burl on successive deliveries. Mohammad Saifuddin joined the onslaught, sending Luke Jongwe packing in the eighth over.
Bangladesh's bowling unit, spearheaded by Hasan, Ahmed, and Saifuddin, showcased exceptional skill and precision, each bagging two wickets. The hosts' fielding prowess, including a crucial run-out, contributed significantly to Zimbabwe's downfall.
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The match's narrative was a testament to the unpredictable nature of cricket, with momentum swinging fiercely between the two sides. As Zimbabwe face an uphill battle to recover from their dismal performance, Bangladesh will look to capitalize on their momentum in the match and take a 1-0 lead in the series.
The visiting side didn't lose hopes and continued to build the sinking ship, a task which was carried by keeper-batter Clive Madande (43 off 39), who later fell prey to Taskin. Notably, the batter added 75 runs for the eighth wicket alongside Wellington Masakadza (34* off 38), bailing the team out of deep trouble. With the help of Masakadza's finishing touch, Zimbabwe posted 124/9 at the end of 20 overs.
The onus will now be upon the home team's batters to do the remaining job, and get their series going with a win under their belt. Meanwhile, social media was abuzz with Zimbabwe's shambolic collapse in the series opener.
Here is how 'X" reacted to ZIM's dramatic collapse against Bangladesh in the 1st T20I:
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