Bangladesh were bowled out for 172 in 33.4 overs while chasing 272, losing to Zimbabwe by 99 runs in the opening match of the tri-series in Abu Dhabi on Saturday.
The defeat exposed Bangladesh’s batting frailties once again.
After reaching 42 without loss in the first six overs, they lost wickets in clusters and never recovered, with Tanzid Hasan Tamim’s 46 and Saif Hassan’s 26 among the few notable contributions.
Soumya Sarkar was the first to go, caught off Blessing Muzarabani for nine off 17 balls.
Tanzid kept the scoring moving but fell for 46 after surviving a dropped catch the previous delivery. Ryan Burl took the catch at point.
Najmul Hossain Shanto followed, trapped lbw by Brad Evans, before captain Towhid Hridoy fell for 13 off 21 balls to Sikandar Raza.
Raza had to review the decision after the on-field umpire turned down his appeal.
Mosaddek Hossain was also dismissed lbw, this time by Wellington Masakadza, leaving Bangladesh five wickets down and still needing 160 runs.
Saif offered some resistance before falling for 26. Rishad Hossain made 23, but Zimbabwe wrapped up the innings in 33.4 overs.
Earlier, Zimbabwe recovered from a poor start to post 271 for eight in their 50 overs after winning the toss and batting first.
Taskin Ahmed tore through the top order, taking three wickets in the opening seven overs as Zimbabwe slipped to 24 for three.
But Craig Ervine and Brendan Taylor turned the innings around with a 150-run partnership for the fourth wicket.
Taylor scored 81 off 101 balls, while Ervine made 93 off 106, hitting nine fours. Their partnership took Zimbabwe past 150 and put them in a position to set Bangladesh a challenging target.
Saif broke the stand by dismissing Taylor with a catch off a reverse sweep, then removed Sikandar Raza in his next over. Ervine continued until Shoriful Islam had him caught behind, nine runs short of a century. Shoriful later dismissed Brad Evans to finish with two wickets for 47 runs.
Taskin took three for 44, while Saif claimed two for 17. Zimbabwe’s lower order added valuable runs at the end, with Wellington Masakadza and Newman Nyamhuri putting on an unbeaten 37 for the ninth wicket. Nyamhuri finished on 21 not out, reports UNB.
Ervine was named player of the match.