Mpofu, Price star in Zimbabwean victory

Bangladesh disappoint home crowd in ODI opener.

DHAKA: Paceman Christopher Mpofu and spinner Raymond Price shared five wickets as Zimbabwe surprised Bangladesh by nine runs in their opening One-Day International (ODI).

Mpofu finished with three for 25 and Price took two for 29 off 10 overs as the tourists bowled Bangladesh out for 200 after scoring 209 for a 1-0 lead. Abdur Razzak finished with four for 41. Captain Shakibal Hasan hit 63 for his 16th half-century in ODIs, adding 54 for the seventh wicket with Mohammad Mahmudullah (14).

Zimbabwe faltered against Bangladesh’s spinners after making a sound start through Brendan Taylor and Chamu Chibhabha. Razzak did the maximum damage when he removed Taylor, Chibhabha and Elton Chigumbura to reduce the tourists to 71 for three in the 14th over but the remaining batsmen were able to provide a total that was just about enough for the win.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 2^nd, 2010.