Bangladesh News

Bangladesh put their one-day series defeat in Zimbabwe behind them as they beat Kenya by six wickets in the first one-day international at the Nairobi Gymkhana ground yesterday racing to 170 with nearly 20 overs to spare.

Batsman Mohammad Ashraful returned to form with a quickfire 67 not out after Tigers paceman Mashrafee Bin Mortuza set up the stage for batsmen by restricting the hosts to 168 with figures of 3-25.

Ashraful struck a dozen fours and a six in his 43-ball knock, after walking in with the team in a precarious position of 58 for three. He immediately shot to action with a flurry of boundaries to dash any Kenyan hopes of a win.

All-rounder Forhad Reza accompanied Ashraful with an undefeated run-a-ball 34 to bat till the end.

Earlier, the hosts, after being sent into bat, looked lacklustre as only skipper Steve Tikolo offered some resistance with a breezy 47 when they batted. Apart from Mashrafee, who bowled a brilliant spell throughout, spinner Abdur Razzak took three for 31 while fellow left-armer Sakib Al Hasan took two wickets.

Stand-in skipper Khaled Mashud picked up a personal milestone after claiming five dismissals — three catches and two brilliant stumpings. His previous best had been two four dismissals, both against Zimbabwe at Harare — first in 1997 and then last month.

The second match of the three-ODI series will be held at the same ground today. BTV and Channel i will telecast the match live from 1pm Bangladesh time.