Visitors chased down the paltry total in Bulawayo with more than 39 overs to spare

Bangladesh lost both openers Murshida Khatun and Sharmin Akhter early in the paltry run chase, with Esther Mbofana and Precious Marange managing a wicket each. But that proved to be too little a resistance considering the score to defend, as Fargana Hoque and Rumana Ahmed ensured their side crossed the line without any further damage and with more than 39 overs to spare.

Earlier, only Marange managed to get into double figures for the hosts, as they lost their last five wickets for only eight runs.

Alam, who took 3 for 18, had done the early damage, with all three of her wickets coming inside the first 11 overs, by which time Zimbabwe were already 20 for 4. The other wicket, of opener Modester Mupachikwa, had gone to Salma, who joined hands with Nahida to polish off the middle and the lower orders.

Zimbabwe’s highest partnership came for the sixth wicket, when Loreen Tshuma and Marange added 13 before Nahida got Tshuma for her first wicket.

Nahida eventually finished with 3 for 2 while Salma eventually ended with figures of 3 for 6, as Bangladesh wrapped Zimbabwe up in less than 24 overs.

The second ODI of the series, deemed a preparatory assignment for both teams ahead of the 2022 ODI World Cup global qualifier scheduled for later this month, will be played at the same ground on Saturday.