Bangladesh showed a brilliant batting performance in the third ODI against Zimbabwe in Dhaka on Wednesday and set the visitors a 298-run target. Batting first at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium (SBNCS) in Mirpur, Bangladesh put 1297 runs on the scoreboard for 6 wickets in 50 overs. Anamul Haque and Tamim Iqbal built a strong 121-run opening partnership in 25.5 overs. Tamim was unfortunate to be run out scoring 40 runs in 63 balls with 2 fours and 1 six. Anamul missed his fourth ODI century just for 5 runs. He was caught at deep midwicket by the substitute fielder SW Masakadza when his score was 95. He smashed 9 boundaries in 117 balls. Later, Shakib Al Hasan contributed more 40 runs while Mushfiqur Rahim and Mahmudullah both added 33 runs each. Earlier winning the toss, Zimbabwe decided to bowl first. The dew that they are anticipating in the second session, roughly from 4pm, was one of the reasons for Elton Chigumbura`s decision. Bangladesh kept almost an unchanged line-up, except for Shafiul Islam being drafted in for Al-Amin Hossain, who was dropped from the third ODI squad. Tendai Chatara, Sikandar Raza and John Nyumbu were left out by Zimbabwe, replaced by Neville Madziva, Timycen Maruma and Peter Moor, who is making his ODI debut. Bangladesh are leading the 5-match series by 2-0. Bangladesh: 1 Tamim Iqbal, 2 Anamul Haque, 3 Mominul Haque, 4 Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), 5 Shakib Al Hasan, 6 Mahmudullah, 7 Sabbir Rahman, 8 Mashrafe Mortaza (capt), 9 Arafat Sunny, 10, Rubel Hossain, 11 Shafiul Islam. Zimbabwe: 1 Timycen Maruma, 2 Hamilton Masakadza, 3 Vusi Sibanda, 4 Brendan Taylor, 5 Regis Chakabva, 6 Elton Chigumbura (capt), 7 Peter Moor, 8 Tinashe Panyangara, 9 Neville Madziva, 10 Solomon Mire, 11 Tafadzwa Kamungozi.
