Three wickets by Chris Mpofu helped Zimbabwe to a nine-run victory in the opening one-day international against Bangaldesh in Mirpur.

Bangladesh skipper Shakib Al Hasan hit 63 off 65 balls as they chased a target of 210 for victory but once he was gone in the 48th over, they lost their way.

Regis Chakabva top-scored for Zimbabwe with 45, with Craig Ervine adding 41.

Abdur Razzak finished with figures of 4-41 for the home side but Mpofu's 3-25 proved decisive for Zimbabwe.

After being put into bat Zimbabwe made 53 before Razzak claimed his first wicket, bowling Chamu Chibhabha for 24.

He also had fellow opener Brendan Taylor stumped for 27 before claiming the scalps of Elton Chigumbura (7) and Keith Dabengwa (8).

Chakabva was caught and bowled out by Mohammad Mahmudullah in the 40th over, with Mahmudullah and Suhrawadi Shuvo adding two more wickets each to finish off the Zimbabwe innings in the 49th over.

From the outset of their reply, Bangladesh struggled against Zimbabwe's spinners.

Mpofu trapped opener Tamim Iqbal lbw for 23 and then had Mahmudullah caught by Chamu Chibhabha for 14.

Raymond Price had the other opener Imrul Kayes caught by Regis Chakabva for 41 - Bangladesh's second highest score - before bowling Mushfiqur Rahim for one.

Al Hasan's late rally gave the home side hope before he was caught by Keegan Meth off the bowling of Mpofu in the 48th over.

By BBC