Zimbabwe A romp to victory

Zimbabwe A 328 and 203 for 4 beat Bangladesh U23 157 and 151 by 233 runs
Scorecard

Zimbabwe A began their tour of Bangladesh with an emphatic 223-run victory over an Under-23 side at the Fatullah Stadium in Narayanganj. After winning the toss and batting, Trevor Gripper (81) and Vusimuzi Sibanda (68) added 108 for the first wicket, before Sibanda became the first of six wickets for the left-arm spinner Arafat Sunny.

Sunny finished the innings with 6 for 76 from 27.5 overs, as the Zimbabweans were bowled out for 328. They really took command of the match on the second day, however, as Bangladesh U23 were skittled for 157 in reply. Naeem Islam (28) and Imran Ahmed added 31 for the first wicket before a dramatic slump left them teetering on 69 for 6. Sunny and Dhiman Gosh salvaged the innings with a 66-run partnership for the seventh wicket, but by the close, Zimbabwe had extended the lead to 264 by the close, with Gripper starring once again with 59 not out.

They soon declared at 203 for 4 on the final day, leaving Bangladesh needing 374 for victory. Naeem top-scored with 44 off 115 balls, but eventually fell lbw to Gavin Ewing, who returned figures of 4 for 31. Gripper meanwhile completed a fine allround match by claiming 3 for 28 with his offbreaks.