Twitter Reactions: Liton Das’ century steers Bangladesh to dominant win in opener
The Tigers registered their biggest victory in their ODI history.
In the opening ODI in Sylhet, Bangladesh, at no stage, looked like stuttering against Zimbabwe. In the end, it was all too easy for Mashrafe Mortaza and Co, who came out trumps by 169 runs to take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series. Liton Das’ second ODI ton set the tone before the bowlers got a stranglehold on the Zimbabwe batting. The visitors have plenty of work to do before the next game.
Liton steadies the ship
Liton Das (126) and Tamim Iqbal (24) got their team off to a breezy start with a 60-run stand. Tamim tried to play the sheer anchor’s role after which he became debutant Wesley Madhevere’s maiden victim. Najmul Hossain Shanto (29) promised, but got out to Tinotenda Mutombodzi. Veterans Mushfiqur Rahim (19) and Mahmudullah Riyad (32) started well and then gave their wickets away.
At the other end, Liton accomplished his fifty off 45 balls and then to his century off 95 balls. But he had to retire hurt after getting hit on the helmet. However, after he went, Mohammad Mithun (50) kept the scoreboard ticking and his 68-run stand with Mahmudullah took the Tigers to a position of command. Mohammad Saifuddin played a cameo of 28 and took the Tigers’ score to a daunting score of 321 for six.
Tigers script their biggest ODI triumph
Zimbabwe, in their run-chase, lost wickets at regular intervals and went behind the 8-ball. The returning Mohammad Saifuddin removed Tinashe Kamunhukamwe and Regis Chakabva to push the visitors on the backfoot. Mashrafe Mortaza, who came back after the 2019 World Cup, nipped out his opposite number, Chamu Chibhabha. Taijul Islam cleaned up the experienced Brendan Taylor to further jolt Zimbabwe.
Madhevere contributed with 35 off 44 with five fours, but it was only to delay the inevitable. Sikandar Raza (18), Richmond Mutumbami (17) and Mutombodzi (24) perished after getting starts. For Bangladesh, Saifuddin was the most successful with three wickets on his return from injury. Mashrafe and Mehidy Hasan Miraz returned with two wickets each. It was also the Tigers biggest victory in their ODI history.
Here’s how Twitterati reacted to Bangladesh’s victory: –
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