Agency :
Coming from behind, Zimbabwe restored parity in the second game to bring them closer to a momentous occasion of clinching a T20I series win versus Bangladesh.
Bangladesh oozed with confidence to seal the three-match T20 International and thereby end the Zimbabwe tour with a winning note as they take on the hosts tomorrow in the third and final T20 match at Harare Sports Club.
The match will start at 4.30 M as per Bangladesh Standard Time and will be aired live on Gazi TV and T Sports. With his match, Bangladesh’s month-long tour in Zimbabwe will come to an end.
Bangladesh so far won the one-off Test and whitewashed Zimbabwe in three-match ODI series. They also won the first T20 game before experiencing their first defeat in the series when Zimbabwe secured a 23-run victory in the second match.
A Zimbabwe victory effectively ended Bangladesh’s hope to win all matches in the tour but still there was a chance for Mahmudullah Riyad and co. to win the T20 series.
With the series locked at 1-1 now, the Tigers indeed want to claw back in style to not only confirm the series but also end the tour successfully..
An improved Zimbabwe displayed resilience to overcome Bangladesh in the second T20I despite leaders Sean Williams and Brendan Taylor missing in action. The young side proved worthy with both the bat and ball but a complete bowling performance proved the difference.
Bangladesh would eye a better batting and fielding display with partnerships in the middle, a critical aspect of the game that was missing the last time. However, the visitors wouldn’t be concerned much as this was the first and only loss they faced on this tour and still have some momentum on their back to carry them across the finish line.
Wesley Madhevere paved the way for Zimbabwe’s series equalling victory with his innings of 73 in 57 balls. Batting first, Zimbabwe posted 166/6 with a late flurry provided by Ryan Burl’s 19-ball 34 and Dion Myers’ supportive 26.
In reply, Bangladesh slipped early with half their side back in the pavilion for 53 in the ninth over. Then, Afif Hossain and Shamim Hossain resisted but it was a case of too little too late for them as Zimbabwe snared a 23-run win with the visitors bowled out for 143.
Zimbabwe captain Sikandar Raza said,”Today we managed to tick a lot more boxes and the result went our way. I would have taken 166. We back ourselves to defend totals. Blessing and everyone deserves the credit. The way Blessing has shown his skills speaks volumes about how he’s growing as a cricketer”
