Nahid Rana took 6 for 21, the best bowling figures by a Bangladesh bowler in ODIs, as Zimbabwe were bowled out for 141 in the first ODI at Harare Sports Club on Monday. The fast bowler ran through the middle order in a seven-over burst after Taskin Ahmed did the early damage.

Bangladesh captain Mehidy Hasan Miraz won the toss and chose to bowl, having spotted moisture in the pitch under overcast skies. The decision paid off almost immediately.

How Zimbabwe fell apart

Openers Brian Bennett and Ben Curran had added 35 in 40 balls when the slide began. Mehidy ran out Curran with a direct hit, and Taskin had Bennett caught two balls later. Taskin then bowled Craig Ervine for a first-ball duck with a delivery that seamed away and hit the top of middle stump.

From there Zimbabwe lost 8 for 35. Rana came on in the 14th over and his extra pace off the pitch proved too much. He removed Sikandar Raza caught behind, had Wessly Madhevere fending to second slip, and picked up Clive Madande, Innocent Kaia and Brad Evans in quick succession.

A rescue act from the bottom of the order

Zimbabwe looked set for a total under 100 at 70 for 8 in the 20th over. Richard Ngarava, batting at No. 10 in his first ODI as captain, then added 63 for the ninth wicket with Newman Nyamhuri.

Ngarava made 27 before a Rana yorker ended his stay, and Nyamhuri was last man out for 33. The stand gave Zimbabwe something to bowl at, though not much.

What the result means for the series

This was Rana’s third ODI five-for of the year, and his pace has become the sharpest weapon in Bangladesh’s attack. Conditions in Harare suited him, and the same ground hosts the rest of the three-match series through July 11.

The series carries extra value for both sides. Zimbabwe hosts the 2027 ODI World Cup, so every match here is a rehearsal in the exact conditions that tournament will bring. A three-match T20I series follows in Bulawayo from July 15.

Bangladesh were left needing 142 to take a 1-0 lead in the series.