Sports Reporter :
A marvelous century from dashing opener Tamim Iqbal powered Bangladesh to clinch the One Day International (ODI) series 2-0 after beating Zimbabwe by four runs in the second ODI at Sylhet International Cricket Stadium on Tuesday.
Tamim Iqbal notched up a tremendous 158. His 136-ball innings was laced with 20 fours and three sixes. It was the highest Individual score in an ODI for a batsman of Bangladesh. Tamim was adjudged the Man of the match.
Tamim fulfilled his 12th ODI hundred using 106 deliveries with 14 fours. Tamim Iqbal enlisted his name in the 7000-run elite club in the ODI format yesterday.
Earlier, Bangladesh thrashed Zimbabwe by 169 runs in the first ODI at the same venue on Sunday last.
Electing to bat first, Bangladesh piled up a massive total of 322 for the loss of eight wickets in the stipulated 50 overs and then restricted Zimbabwe to 318 for the loss of eight wickets in 50 overs.
Bangladesh had an unhappy start as opener Liton Das (9) was unfortunately run out by Carl Mumba when Bangladesh’s score was 38.
After Liton’s dismissal, one-down Najmul Hossain Shanto (6) was run out by a joint-effort of Brendan Taylor and Wesley Madhevere when the team’s total was 65 for the loss of two wickets.
After Shanto’s departure, Tamim Iqbal and Mushfiqur Rahim built a worthy partnership. They put on together 87 runs in the third wicket stand before Mushfiqur Rahim was caught at the long-on by Tinotenda Mutombadzi off Madhevere when the hosts’ score was 152 for the loss of three wickets.
Mushfiqur Rahim hit a sparkle 55. His 50-ball innings saw six shots across the ropes. It was Mushfiqur Rahim’s 38th ODI half century.
After Mushfiqur’s dismissal, Tamim Iqbal and Mahmudullah Riyad contributed together 106 runs for the fourth wicket partnership before Riyad was caught at the deep square leg by Madhevere off Charlton Tshuma when Bangladesh’s total was 258 for the loss of four wickets.
Riyad made a polished 41 from 57 balls featuring three fours.
After Riyad’s departure, Tamim Iqbal and Mohammad Mithun added together 34 runs in the fifth wicket stand before Tamim was caught at the long-off by Mutombodzi off Muba when the home side’s score was 292 for the loss of five wickets.
Mohammad Mithun remained unbeaten with 32. He hit three fours and a sixer in his 18-ball knock.
After Tamim’s dismissal, Mehidy Hasan Miraz was cleanly bowled out by a Yorker off Mumba when Bangladesh’s total was 307 for the loss of six wickets.
Skipper Mashrafe Bin Mortaza (1) was caught at the deep mid-wicket by Sikandar Raza off Donald Tiripano when the team’s score was 310 for the loss of seven wickets.
Number-9 batsman Taijul Islam (0) was caught at the backward square leg by Mutombodzi off Tiripano when the hosts’ total was 311 for the loss of eight wickets.
Tiripano and Mumba got two wickets each conceding 55 and 64 runs respectively.
Tshuma and Madhevere took one wicket each for 35 and 38 runs respectively.
Later, Sikandar Raza, Donald Tiripano, Madhevere, Tinashe Kamunhukamwe and fought back against the Bangladesh bowling attack.
Raza notched up a superb 66. His 57-ball innings was studded with five fours and two sixes.
Tiripano remained unbeaten with 55. Madhevere made 52, while Kamunhukamwe scored 51.
Taijul Islam was the most successful bowler of Bangladesh with three wickets at the cost of 52 runs.
Mashrafe, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Al-amin Hossain and Shafiul Islam took one wicket apiece.
