Bangladesh vs Zimbabwe, 1st T20I: Afif Hossain cameo hands Bangladesh thrilling win

Afif Hossain struck a quickfire 52 off 26 deliveries as Bangladesh eked out a narrow three-wicket win against Zimbabwe in the first Twenty20 international.

Bangladesh eked out a narrow three-wicket win over Zimbabwe in the first T20I.

Afif Hossain struck a quickfire 52 off 26 deliveries as Bangladesh eked out a narrow three-wicket win against Zimbabwe in the first Twenty20 international of the tri-series tournament in Dhaka on Friday.

Chasing a modest 145 in a rain curtailed encounter, Bangladesh lost wickets at regular intervals to slip to six for 60 in the ninth over. Kyle Jarvis, Tendai Chatara and Neville Madziva grabbed two wickets apiece to keep Zimbabwe in the hunt. However, Afif's cameo coupled with Mosaddek Hossain's unbeaten 24-ball 30 took Bangladesh over the line.

Earlier, Ryan Burl scored 57 off 32 balls as Zimbabwe posted 144-5 in 18 overs against Bangladesh.

Burl hit five fours and four sixes in his maiden T20I fifty, and smashed 30 runs in one over off Bangladesh skipper Shakib Al Hasan.

Bangladesh had won the toss and opted to bowl first in a game reduced to 18 overs each after a delayed start.

Taijul Islam, Mustafizur Rahman, Mohammad Saifuddin and Mosaddek Hossain claimed one wicket each for Bangladesh.

Afghanistan is the third team in the tournament.