Teja Nidamanuru remained unbeaten on 110* [Source: Twitter]
The first One-Day International (ODI) between hosts Zimbabwe and the Netherlands witnessed a see-saw encounter that ended in the visitors winning the match by three wickets. All-rounder Teja Nidamanuru starred for the Dutch side, scoring his maiden ODI 100 in the process, which ensured they took a 1-0 lead.
After a cameo with the bat, Richard Ngarava toppled the Dutch openers quickly, picking up the wickets of Vikramjit Singh (8) and Tom Cooper (1).
Max O'Dowd and Colin Ackermann put on a fifth in the middle, but Masakadza struck soon, claiming the former's wicket with just 49 on the board for the visitors.
New-batter Musa Ahmed lasted just four balls as Brad Evans (0) got him plump in front.
In a close leg before call, skipper Scott Edwards (7) fell to Masakadza, pegging the Netherlands five down for 64.
With wickets tumbling at one end, Ackermann held his own, and in alliance with Teja Nidamanuru took the Netherlands past the 100-run mark.
The 31-year-old reached his second ODI fifty and departed soon after. Masakadza cleaned up Ackermann's stumps to pick up his third wicket.
Undeterred, Nidamanuru ensured the flow of runs did not halt as he formed as Shariz Ahmad joined him, soon the duo completed 50 runs in just 60 balls.
The Andhra Pradesh-born reached his fifty in 63 balls, with the Netherlands needing 85 to win. With the run rate rising, Nidamanuru decided to up the ante, which saw his catch dropped twice by Masakadza.
Ahmad's (30) run out ended a marvellous 110-run stand with the Holland team still needing 30 to win.
Nidamanuru reached his maiden one-day century in just 88 balls under pressure.
Nidamanuru (110*) along with Paul van Meekeren (21*) finished the game for the Netherlands, pocketing the match by three wickets.
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Clive Madande slammed his maiden ODI fifty [Source: Twitter]
Zimbabwe were off to a torrid start, with Paul van Meekeren and Fred Klaassen rocking their top-order. Skipper Craig Ervine (4) was Klaassen's first , while former England international Gary Ballance (4) and Innocent Kaia (12) became Meekeren's scalps
Wesley Madhevere (17) tried to consolidate their faltering innings but was unfortunately run out. Ryan Burl (10) followed suit, falling to Brandon Glover.
Experienced all-rounder Sikandar Raza (22) became Vikramjit Singh's only wicket, as Zimbabwe lost more than half their side for 91.
Wicketkeeper-batter Clive Madande and Masakadza came to their side's rescue and pulled Zimbabwe out of a ditch.
The pair stitched a 70-run stand for the eight-wicket before Mazakadza was run-out after a straight drive by Madande, where the ball ricocheted off Glover's hand and onto the non-strikers' stumps.
Playing his fourth match, Madande registered his first-ever ODI fifty under testing conditions in 78 deliveries.
He along with Ngarava provided late-order resistance as the duo helped Zimbabwe cross the 200-run mark.
Klaassen provided the Netherlands with a much-needed breakthrough, getting the better of Ngarava (35), who by then had added 66 runs for the ninth wicket.
Madande (74) did hit a couple of fours before he too fell, handing Klaassen his third as Zimbabwe folded for 249.
The second ODI will be played on Thursday.
Zimbabwe: 249 all out (47.3)
Clive Madande 74 (98), Richard Ngarava 35 (27);
Fred Klaassen 3-41 (9.3), Paul van Meekeren 2-50 (9).
Netherlands: 255 -7 (49.5)
Teja Nidamanuru 110* (96), Colin Ackermann 50 (72);
Wellington Masakadza 3-36 (10), Richard Ngarava 2-44 (10).
Netherlands win by three wickets
 "Vishal Mehra")
