Nafees hits century to beat Zimbabwe

KHULNA, Bangladesh, Nov 30 (Reuters) Bangladesh, led by an unbeaten 105 from opener Shahriar Nafees, beat Zimbabwe by nine wickets in the first one-day international today.

Nafees and Aftab Ahmed (60 not out) put on 114 as the hosts reached victory on 186 for one in 45.3 overs.

Sean Williams caught and bowled Mehrab Hossain jnr (13) to break the opening partnership of 72 but Williams missed the chance of getting a second wicket when wicketkeeper Brendan Taylor dropped Aftab on one.

Nafees was adjudged man of the match after his third one-day century from 138 balls which included 13 fours and a six.

Earlier, Abdur Razzak with a career-best four for 33 led the Bangladeshi spin attack in restricting Zimbabwe to 184 for nine.

Zimbabwe started confidently with a flurry of boundaries by openers Taylor (38) and Stuart Matsikenyeri (27), who put on 52 but struggled after their dismissals.

Razzak's fellow spinner Mohammad Rafique chipped in two for 35 to become the first Bangladeshi to bag 100 wickets in one-day internationals.

REUTERS AY VV1707