Big upset for Zimbabwe, defeated Bangladesh by 99 runs on the strength of Erwin and Evans

Delhi: In the first match (BAN vs ZIM) played on Saturday in the ODI tri-series being played in UAE, Zimbabwe performed brilliantly and defeated Bangladesh by 99 runs. After brilliant innings by experienced batsman Brendan Taylor (81) and Craig Erwin (93), the deadly bowling of Brad Evans played an important role in Zimbabwe's victory. Evans took 4 wickets and helped Bangladesh score 172 runs. Craig Erwin was chosen player of the match.

Zimbabwe's 3 wickets fell for 24 runs

After losing the toss and coming to bat first, Zimbabwe had a very bad start. Bangladesh's fast bowler Taskin Ahmed shook Zimbabwe's top order by bowling brilliantly in the opening spell. He sent Brian Bennett (0), Ben Curran (6) and Tafadzwa Tsiga (16) to the pavilion. Zimbabwe's three leading batsmen were out at a total of 24. Zimbabwe's team came under pressure due to the fall of early wickets, but the experienced batsmen handled the innings.

Great partnership between Taylor and Erwin

After losing early wickets, Brendan Taylor and Craig Erwin took the responsibility. Along with batting carefully, both of them also scored runs on bad balls and put pressure on the Bangladeshi bowlers. Taylor scored 81 runs in 101 balls with the help of 10 fours. With the help of this inning, he also became the highest run scorer for Zimbabwe in ODIs. Earlier this record was in the name of Andy Flower.

Also read: Brendan Taylor broke Andy Flower's record in ODI, became Zimbabwe's most successful batsman.

Ervin was a little unlucky. He missed completing his century by 7 runs. Erwin played an inning of 93 runs in 106 balls with the help of 9 fours. There was an important partnership of 150 runs between the two for the fourth wicket, which rescued Zimbabwe from the initial shocks and laid the foundation for a big score.

A complete performance from Zimbabwe as they stun Bangladesh in the first game of the tri-series in Abu Dhabi.

— ICC (@ICC) October 17, 2026

The lower order showed strength in the last overs

After the early dismissal of captain Sikandar Raza in the middle order, Zimbabwe's lower order made useful contributions. Newman Nyamahuri scored 21* and Wellington Masakadza scored 21*. Nyamahuri hit a four and a six, while Masakadza hit two sixes. With the help of these innings, Zimbabwe scored 271 runs for 8 wickets in 50 overs.

For Bangladesh, Taskin Ahmed took 3 wickets, while Saif Hasan and Shoriful Islam got 2 wickets each.

Bangladesh's top order faltered while chasing the target

The start of Bangladesh chasing the target of 272 runs was also not good. Tanjid Hasan Tamim definitely scored 46 runs in 38 balls with the help of 9 fours and one six, but he did not get enough support from the other end.

Soumya Sarkar (9), Nazmul Hussain Shanto (4), captain Tauheed Hridoy (13) and Saif Hasan (26) failed to play big innings. Due to continuous fall of wickets, Bangladesh team kept moving away from the target. By the time they reached 129 runs, 8 wickets had fallen and their hopes of victory were almost over.

Deadly bowling by Brad Evans, Bangladesh team was reduced to 172 runs.

Zimbabwe's bowlers did not give Bangladesh's batsmen a chance to play freely with precise line and length. Brad Evans took 4 wickets for 45 runs in 6.4 overs. Captain Sikandar Raza took 2 wickets for 28 runs, while Wellington Masakadja dismissed 2 batsmen for 18 runs.

Also read: 5 dangerous records, which were broken in India vs West Indies fifth T20 match

The entire Bangladesh team was reduced to 172 runs in 33.4 overs. In this way, Zimbabwe registered a spectacular victory by 99 runs and started their campaign in the tri-series with a win.