Brendan Taylor
Brendan Taylor surpassed Andy Flower to become Zimbabwe’s highest run-scorer in One-Day Internationals (ODIs) after playing a crucial knock of 81 against Bangladesh in the opening match of the ODI tri-series in Abu Dhabi on Saturday. Taylor’s contribution, alongside Craig Ervine’s 93, helped Zimbabwe recover from an early collapse to post 271/8 before their bowlers bundled out Bangladesh for 172 in 33.4 overs, securing a 99-run victory. Taylor made his ODI debut in 2004 and has scored 6,837 runs in 211 matches at an average of 35.24. His tally includes 11 centuries and 40 half-centuries, with a highest score of 145 not out. Flower finished his ODI career with 6,786 runs in 213 matches, including four centuries and 55 half-centuries.
Taylor eventually departed for 81 after being dismissed by Saif Hassan, while Ervine continued to anchor the innings. The Zimbabwe captain narrowly missed out on a century, scoring 93 off 106 balls with nine boundaries before Shoriful Islam sent him back to the pavilion. Chasing 272 for victory, Bangladesh made a brisk start through Tanzid Hasan, who scored 46 off 38 deliveries, including nine fours and a six.
However, Zimbabwe struck back after removing Soumya Sarkar, before Newman Nyamhuri dismissed Tanzid to halt the visitors’ early momentum.
The visitors were eventually bowled out for 172 in 33.4 overs, falling 99 runs short of the target. Zimbabwe’s disciplined bowling performance ensured a comprehensive victory in the tri-series opener, with Craig Ervine named Player of the Match for his 93-run knock. Zimbabwe will next face Afghanistan on October 19 as the three-team competition continues in the United Arab Emirates.