Zimbabwe produced a disciplined all-round performance to defeat Bangladesh by 32 runs in the opening T20I of the three-match series at Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo. After posting a competitive total of 170/6, the hosts unleashed their pace attack to bowl Bangladesh out for 138 with an over to spare.
Brian Bennett provided Zimbabwe with a flying start at the top of the order before Ryan Burl and Brad Evans added crucial runs in the closing stages to lift the total. Bangladesh looked threatening during the middle overs through Nahid Rana’s impressive spell, but Zimbabwe finished strongly enough to give their bowlers a challenging target to defend.
Blessing Muzarabani and Richard Ngarava dismantle Bangladesh’s batting lineup
Zimbabwe’s pace duo of Blessing Muzarabani and Richard Ngarava produced a sensational display with the new ball and at the death to seal the victory. The pair shared eight wickets between them, consistently troubling the Bangladesh batters with extra bounce and disciplined lines.
Ngarava struck twice during the Powerplay to remove Saif Hassan and Tanzid Hasan before Muzarabani joined the party by dismissing Parvez Hossain Emon. Bangladesh were reduced to 34/3 inside five overs and never fully recovered from the early collapse.
Muzarabani returned in the closing stages to finish with outstanding figures of 4/17, equalling his career-best T20I bowling figures. Ngarava complemented him brilliantly by claiming 4/26 as Zimbabwe bowled Bangladesh out for 138 to secure a deserved victory.
Brian Bennett sets the platform despite Nahid Rana’s brilliance
Earlier in the evening, Bennett continued his impressive T20 form with a fluent 44 off just 30 deliveries. The young opener attacked from the outset, finding boundaries with confidence and ensuring Zimbabwe made a positive start despite regular wickets at the other end.
Bangladesh fought back impressively through Nahid, who produced an excellent spell of fast bowling. The right-arm pacer claimed 4/26, dismissing Bennett before striking twice in the death overs to slow Zimbabwe’s momentum. Taskin Ahmed also kept things tight, conceding just 22 runs from his four overs.
However, Burl played a valuable knock of 30 from 25 balls, while Evans chipped in with a quickfire 19 off just 10 deliveries. Their late partnership helped Zimbabwe recover from a middle-order slowdown and post a competitive total of 170/6.
Bangladesh’s chase never gained the required momentum despite Yasir Ali’s fighting innings. Making his return to the T20I side after nearly three years, Yasir top-scored with 54 off 36 balls and registered his maiden T20I half-century. However, he received little support from the other batters as Zimbabwe’s pace attack maintained complete control throughout the innings to hand the hosts a 1-0 lead in the series.
Zimbabwe continue to impress and carry their fine form into the T20Is as well as they beat Bangladesh by 32 runs in the 1st T20I 🔥#ZIMvBAN #ZimbabweCricket #Cricket pic.twitter.com/7e8RF8QjIR
— CricketTimes.com (@CricketTimesHQ) July 16, 2026
