Liton ton takes Tigers to 321

Liton Das smashed his second ODI hundred to propel Bangladesh to 321 for six in 50 overs in the first game of the three-match series against Zimbabwe at Sylhet International Stadium on Sunday.

Liton’s aggressive knock came to an end when he left the field struggling with a leg problem after smashing 126 from 105 balls with 13 fours and two sixes to his name. It was Liton’s second century in ODIs after he struck his maiden ton in the 2018 Asia Cup final against India.

Bangladesh captain Mashrafe Bin Mortaza won the toss and opted to bat first. Tigers skipper came back to international cricket after a gap of eight months.

Liton and Tamim Iqbal posted 60 runs in the first wicket stand before Tamim was dismissed by Zimbabwean debutant Wesley Madhevere for 24 off 43 balls with two fours.

After Tamim’s departure, Liton was solid at the other end and kept the scoreboard moving along quite nicely. Najmul Hossain Shanto, Mushfiqur Rahim also contributed to their team’s total by scoring 29 and 19 respectively.

The second wicket stand between Liton and Najmul was the highest for the hosts yielding 80 runs.

In the fifth wicket partnership, Mahmudullah Riyad and Mohammad Mithun added 68 runs. The stand was broken when Riyad fell for 32 off 28 with two fours and one six. Mithun ended on 50 off 41 balls with five fours and one six to his name.

In the end, Mohammad Saifuddin, who came to play international cricket after a gap of five months, hit 28 off 15 balls with three big sixes in the last over, and Bangladesh ended on 321 for six in 50 overs.

Chris Mpofu bagged two wickets conceding 68 runs in 10 overs while Carl Mumba, Donald Tiripano, Wesley Madhevere and Tinotenda Mutombodzi took one wicket each.