Zimbabwe's challenging total: courtesy of the bowlers

In the opening match of the T20 series held in Chattogram, Zimbabwe's top order failed to put up a fight against the formidable bowling attack of the Bangladesh team. Sheikh Mehedi and Taskin Ahmed were particularly effective, leading to a dispirited performance from Zimbabwean batters such as Raja and Burl, who seemed overwhelmed. Making a striking return to the national team after 18 months, all-rounder Mohammad Saifuddin took 3 wickets for just 15 runs, dominating Zimbabwe's experienced batsmen. On this day, four Zimbabwean batsmen were dismissed for a duck, with three falling for golden ducks. Four batsmen barely managed to reach double digits.

However, a significant partnership for the 8th wicket between Madandé and Masakadza brought an unexpected twist, adding 75 runs to the scoreboard and giving Zimbabwe a challenging total. Zimbabwe ended their innings at 124 runs in the stipulated 20 overs. Bangladesh now needed 125 runs from 120 balls to secure a win in the first T20 match.

The match saw Tanzid Hasan Tamim receive his T20 debut cap from Mahmudullah Riyad. Winning the toss, Bangladesh captain Nazmul Hossain Shanto chose to bowl first.

However, the decision to bat first seemed to backfire on the visiting team right from the start. With Shakib Al Hasan absent for the Chattogram leg, Sheikh Mehedi led the spin attack and made an impact in the second over by breaking Craig Ervine's stumps. Ervine left without scoring. Jaylord Gambi stabilized momentarily but failed to make a significant contribution.

Saifuddin struck in his first over, catching Gambi at short fine leg off Taskin’s hands for 17 runs. Zimbabwe lost two more wickets before the powerplay ended, including a run-out of Brian Bennett for 16 and a golden duck for captain Sikandar Raja, caught off a failed sweep shot.

Post-powerplay, Zimbabwe at 38 runs lost two quick wickets in the 7th over bowled by Taskin Ahmed, who claimed two victims for just one run. Both Sean Williams and Ryan Burl returned to the pavilion without scoring, each embarrassed by a golden duck.

Saifuddin claimed his second wicket in his second over, dismissing Luke Jongwe who failed to capitalize on a short ball, caught magnificently at mid-on by Towhid Hridoy. Zimbabwe was reeling at 41 for 7 at this stage.

However, Zimbabwe staged a remarkable comeback with Wellington Masakadza and Clive Madandé forming a resilient 75-run partnership in 65 balls. This partnership was eventually broken by Taskin in the 19th over when he dismissed Madandé for 43 runs off 39 balls, caught by Saifuddin.

With a set target of 125, the outcome of the match now hinged on Bangladesh's batting performance in the remaining innings.