DHAKA, July 6, 2026 (BSS) - Zimbabwe overcame a sensational record-breaking 
spell from Nahid Rana to consign Bangladesh to 25 runs defeat in the first 
ODI and take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series at Harare Sports Club 
today.

Nahid returned career-best figures of 6-21, the best bowling performance by a 
Bangladeshi in ODI history, to help dismiss Zimbabwe for just 141 in 36.4 
overs. 

As has been the case, Bangladesh's fragile batting once again let them down 
as they were bowled out for 116 in 33.1 overs.

The defeat came after Bangladesh had already suffered an innings and 85-run 
loss in the one-off Test, with their batting woes continuing despite the 
bowlers producing a match-winning effort.

Defending a modest target, Zimbabwe struck early through fast bowler Blessing 
Muzarabani and captain Richard Ngarava, reducing Bangladesh to 17-3 inside 
five overs.

Towhid Hridoy and Nurul Hasan Sohan attempted to rebuild with a 49-run 
fourth-wicket partnership before Newman Nyamhuri broke the stand by 
dismissing Hridoy for 25.

Sohan waged a lone battle with a team-high 31, but Bard Evans and Ngarava 
ripped out the middle order to keep Zimbabwe firmly in control. Evans 
effectively ended Bangladesh's hopes by trapping Sohan leg-before with the 
score on 98-8.

The lower order briefly delayed the inevitable before Ngarava dismissed 
Mustafizur Rahman to seal Zimbabwe's victory.

Ngarava and Evans claimed three wickets apiece, while Muzarabani and Nyamhuri 
took two each.

Bangladesh's batting collapse overshadowed a historic performance from Nahid, 
who eclipsed Mashrafe Bin Mortaza's previous national ODI record of 6-26 
against Kenya in 2006.

The six-wicket haul was Nahid's third five-for in just 14 ODI innings, making 
him the second-fastest Bangladeshi to reach the milestone after Mustafizur 
Rahman, who achieved it in nine innings.

Bangladesh captain Mehidy Hasan Miraz opted to field first, and his bowlers 
justified the decision with an impressive start.

Zimbabwe lost opener Ben Curran to a run-out for 18 before Taskin Ahmed 
removed Brian Bennett for 17 and Craig Ervine for a duck in his consecutive 
overs to leave the hosts reeling at 38-3.

Nahid then took charge, dismissing Sikandar Raza for 1 before producing a 
devastating spell that tore apart the Zimbabwe's middle order.

Among his victims was Innocent Kaia, whose unbeaten 140 had inspired Zimbabwe 
to inflict a humiliating defeat on Bangladesh in the preceding one-off Test.

Kaia who looked to rebuild the innings well made 26 before falling to Nahid.

The right-arm pacer claimed five wickets in succession as Zimbabwe slumped to 
70-8 in the 20th over.

Captain Richard Ngarava and Newman Nyamhuri staged a spirited recovery with a 
63-run ninth-wicket partnership that lifted Zimbabwe to a competitive 141.

Nahid returned to remove Ngarava for 27 before Mehidy ended the innings by 
dismissing Nyamhuri, who top-scored with 33. Taskin finished with 2-32.

The second ODI will be played at the same venue on Thursday, with Bangladesh 
aiming to level the three-match series.