BAN VS ZIM - 1st Match, Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe in Bangladesh Tri-Series, 2018

That's a wrap to the Tri-Series opener. A one-sided contest with the tournament hosts romping home. Zimbabwe don't have much time to recover because the next game of the tournament features them against Sri Lanka. That will be on 17th January, same place and at the same time. Looking forward to your company for that one. For now, you can switch tabs to enjoy the Centurion Test match which is certainly thrilling. Till next time, this is Hariprasad signing off on behalf of Akshay and Varun. Cheers!

Man of the Match, Shakib Al Hasan: "It was important to pick early wickets because the pitch was getting better as the game went on. There was little bit of moisture at the start of the innings and we thought that the spinners could get some help. That's exactly what happened. It was a team plan to attack with left-arm spinners and it worked. He (Tamim) has been scoring runs in plenty of the last couple of years and hopefully he can keep doing what he is doing. Felt nice, new job (batting at three) and new responsibilities but of course, I need to score big runs."

Mashrafe Mortaza, winning captain: "It has been a tough time, that tour of South Africa and it's nice to be back home, and win games. The bowlers bowled really well. We knew that the sun won't come out much at all because of how it has been over the last few days. All the bowlers did really well. When you are chasing 170 on such a wicket that is getting better, there shouldn't be any panic. Tamim batted really well and so did Shakib who looked good at no.3. Hopefully we can keep this going for the rest of the tournament."

Graeme Cremer, losing captain: "Definitely not enough runs. We didn't mind batting first. We thought 240-250 was par but losing two wickets in the first over didn't help. There was a good fightback, Sikandar did well and PJ also but not enough runs. It doesn't help when you don't play regularly. You do learn sometimes but then it takes time in a series and it's too late. Nice that we get to play a lot of games this year and we're looking forward to it. If we can just get through the first 10 overs with the bat without not more than one wicket down, we can perhaps set a good score. It's about scoring runs in international cricket and hopefully we can improve."

18:01 Local Time, 12:01 GMT, 17:31 IST: As flawless as it gets for Bangladesh. Once their bowlers restricted Zimbabwe to 170, the result was virtually sealed. The only way the visitors could have stayed afloat in the game was to pick early wickets and although they got Anamul after his cameo, Tamim and Shakib stitched a fluent partnership to ensure that there would be no alarms. The newly promoted no.3 couldn't see it off till the end but Tamim did so and along with Rahim ensured that the win was achieved with more than 21 overs to spare. Forgettable game for Zimbabwe, only Raza stood up for them in the game, both with the bat and ball while the others didn't even compete. They would need to pick up their game drastically for the rest of the tournament. As for the home side, this is the perfect start. Presentations in a short while

Cremer to Rahim, 1 run, that's it, done and dusted. Flatter ball on the pads, Rahim tucks it down towards fine leg to complete the formalities. Bangladesh storm home by 8 wickets

Cremer to Rahim, FOUR, 'catch' was the call but this was in the gap. Tossed up around off, Rahim goes for the slog sweep and although he didn't connect it that well, still had enough on it to reach the fence. Scores level now

Cremer to Tamim, 1 run, lovely leg break around middle, worked with the turn towards forward square leg

Muzarabani to Tamim, 1 run, another run out appeal, Tamim is the man in doubt again but he is comfortably in. Not sure why this was even referred. Steers this towards point and sets of for the tight run. Direct hit at the bowler's end but he was in

Muzarabani to Tamim, 2 runs, confusion in the running but no harm done. On the pads, Tamim flicks it behind square and they get through for a single. The second run is suggested by Rahim, as an afterthought and Tamim has to hurry. Good throw at the keeper's end and Taylor deflected it onto the stumps. They go upstairs to check but Tamim was well in

Run out appeal at the keeper's end. Taylor seems excited and Tamim is the man in question. Seems safe, yes he is!

Muzarabani to Tamim, 2 runs, full and wide outside off, finally a legal ball from Muzarabani and it's sliced over point

Muzarabani to Tamim, no ball, Muzarabani is in a mess here! The Free Hit continues. Tries for the wide yorker but it's way outside off. He has overstepped again too

Muzarabani to Tamim, no ball, another no ball! Oh boy, this is incredible. He is just not overstepping them, he is overstepping them by a mile. This is unbelievable. Fuller ball and Tamim went for a big drive, only to get a nick. Wouldn't have mattered as it was a Free Hit and he'll get another one now

Muzarabani to Tamim, no ball, another no ball, the poor kid is probably tense on his debut. Another huge overstep! Fuller ball outside off, defended off the front foot towards cover. Free Hit coming up, this time for Tamim

Muzarabani to Rahim, 1 run, short and angling into Rahim, he rides the bounce with a tuck towards square leg

Muzarabani to Rahim, no run, no drama on the Free Hit! Short and outside off, Rahim looks to cut but there isn't enough width. Misses

Muzarabani to Rahim, no ball, he has overstepped! A Free Hit coming up, as if the misery wasn't enough already. And mind you, he's overstepped by a mile. Short and wide, Rahim looks to cut but finds point

Muzarabani to Tamim, 1 run, back of a length around leg stump, tucked through mid-wicket for a run

Blessing Muzarabani [3.0-0-20-0] is back into the attack