Published: 01:48 AM, 19 October 2026
We actually didn't bat well against Zimbabwe: Taskin
Bangladesh kicked off their tri-nation ODI series campaign in disappointing fashion as they endured a 99-run defeat to Zimbabwe at Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi, UAE on Saturday evening.
Chasing Zimbabwe's total of 272, Bangladesh were dismissed for 172 in 33.4 overs, losing by 99 runs. The loss marked a difficult start for the team under new captaincy in the tournament running from October 17 to October 23 across the United Arab Emirates.
Fast bowler Taskin Ahmed reflected on the defeat and identified the core issues that cost Bangladesh the match. Speaking after the game, Taskin acknowledged that the target was within reach but poor batting partnerships and repeated mistakes in the middle order proved costly.
"270 was definitely chaseable, at least against Zimbabwe. We actually didn't play well, meaning we should have chased it, and unfortunately, we couldn't form a single partnership. Just one partnership would have taken the game away, but repeatedly, mistakes are made in batting. In bowling, at least the consistency has improved somewhat, perhaps, but in batting, for example, our batsmen should have won this match, I think, but unfortunately, they couldn't. But still, there's one game left, and we hope to fight back well so we can play the final," Taskin told media.
Opener Tanzid Hasan Tamim fought a lone battle to be the top-scorer with 46 runs. The defeat once again exposed Bangladesh's batting frailties after their bowlers had initially put Zimbabwe under pressure.
Soumya Sarkar fell for 9, caught off Blessing Muzarabani, before Tanzid provided some resistance with an aggressive knock. Najmul Hossain Shanto scored 13, while captain Towhid Hridoy also made 13 before being trapped leg-before by Sikandar Raza.
Hridoy's dismissal at 97-4 left Bangladesh struggling to keep pace with the required run rate. The wickets continued to tumble at regular intervals, leaving the visitors with little chance of mounting a comeback.
A late 32-run partnership off 26 balls between Rishad Hossain and Taskin Ahmed reduced the margin of defeat. Rishad scored 23, while Taskin remained unbeaten on 16.
Brad Evans led Zimbabwe's bowling attack with four wickets, while Raza and Masakadza claimed two wickets apiece.
"The problem is with consistency and it has been observed that we need to build this consistency and game awareness. Our lack of game awareness is a bit more because everyone has the skill, and all of you who watch cricket know that every batsman has proven that they can bat well. So sometimes, team-wise, you'll see that we collapse very quickly under pressure; this is what we actually need to overcome. If we want to be a big team, we somehow have to overcome this. I'm sure we are all working together on how to fix this quickly," Taskin said.
"I hope that if we can win the next match and fight back, Inshallah, it's still possible. Because if we can't play the final of this tri-nation tournament, we will be somewhat morally down, but we will try to make a strong comeback in the next match," he added.
Earlier, Zimbabwe recovered from a shaky start to post a respectable total after being sent in to bat.
Taskin struck early, leaving Zimbabwe reeling at 24-3, but Brendan Taylor and Craig Ervine steadied the innings with a crucial 150-run fourth-wicket partnership.
Taylor scored 81 off 101 balls, while Ervine made 93 off 106 deliveries to guide Zimbabwe to a competitive total.
Taskin finished with three wickets for 44 runs, while Shoriful Islam and Saif Hassan claimed two wickets each.
Bangladesh will face Afghanistan in their next match on October 21.
