Elton Chigumbura appeared as the chief wrecker with batting and bowling to upset 'favourite' Bangladesh when Zimbabwe downed the hosts by five wickets to take 1-0 lead against the home side in the five-match Grameenphone ODI series at Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur on Tuesday.

After snapping up three wickets in bowling, he shocked the home crowd with powerful 50 ball-60 runs knock as Zimbabwe sailed home with ease with 15.2 overs to spare. Earlier, a sensible half-century from glovesman Mushfiqur Rahim and a whirlwind batting from Dolar Mahmud in the late moment helped Bangladesh to lift a competitive total of 186 before being bundled out in 46.5 overs which seemed to be improbable.

In pursuit of the little target, Zimbabwe got off to a confident start when Hamilton Masakadza and Justice Chibhabha shared a fair 39-run partnership until left arm spinner Abdur Razzak came up with a magic hand. His first over caused Zimbabwe's most damage as they lost three wickets and Bangladesh's hope revived dramatically. Paceman Rubel Hossain clawed back after an ordinary first spell with getting rid of Masakadza (10) to leave the visitors jolting 54 for four as match clearly went on to Bangladesh's favour.

Afterwards Charles Coventry and Stuart Matsikenyeri added 36-run for the fifth wicket stand before Dolar came back with fire to dash Coventry's another big innings hope. Coventry by then scored 32 runs and indicated another big party. Chigumbura, the bowling hero, then acted as rescuer in batting as well and took the match away from Bangladesh's grip. His unbeaten 97-run partnership with Matsikenyeri eventually gave them upperhand in total win-loss ratio against Bangladesh. Chigumbura by then remained unbeaten on 60 while Matsikenyeri was on 47. Razzak snapped up three for 27 while Dollar and Rubel picked up one wicket each.

Earlier, a Twenty20 style batting sank Bangladesh as Chigumbura capitalised on their needless rush to get rid of Tamim Iqbal, Zuaned Siddique and Mohammad Ashraful inside the fielding powerplays. A run-out and two wickets to Chamu Chibhaba in the 20th over left Bangladesh six down for just 62 and facing a crisis. Mushfiqur Rahim then made two useful partnerships alongside Naeem and Dollar to lift Bangladesh a competitive total. Mushfiqur topscored the side with 56 while Dollar made an entertaining 30 ball-41 runs knock. Naeem was the other notable contributor with 21 runs. Chigumbura finished with three for 27 while Kyle Jervis snared two.

-The Independent