Sports Reporter :Bangladesh lost to Zimbabwe by 31 runs in a rain-interrupted third Twenty20 International match at the Sheikh Abu Naser Stadium in Khulna on Wednesday.Bangladesh have now 2-1 lead in the four-match series.Bangladesh will take on Zimbabwe in the fourthand final Twenty20 International match at the same venue on January 22.Earlier, Bangladesh composed an easy four-wicket victory over their African counterpart in the first Twenty20 International match at the same venue on January 15.Bangladesh recorded a massive 42-run victory over the tourists in the second Twenty20 International match at the same venue on January 17.Electing to bat first, Zimbabwe piled up a mammoth 187 runs for the loss of six wickets in the allotted 20 overs and then they restricted Bangladesh to 156 for the loss of six wickets in 20 overs.Bangladesh made a shaky start as they lost their opener Imrul Kayes (1), who was bowled out by Tendai Chisoro when Bangladesh’s score was just two runs.After dismissal of Kayes, Soumya Sarkar and Sabbir Rahman repaired the damage contributing together 67 runs for the second wicket partnership before Sarkar was caught at the mid-wicket by Hamilton Masakadza off Graeme Cremer when Bangladesh’s total was 69 for the loss of two wickets.Then Sabbir Rahman and Mosaddek Hossain put on together 23 runs for the third wicket stand before Sabbir was caught at the backward square leg by Taurai Muzarabani off Sikandar Raza when Bangladesh’s score was 92 for the loss of three wickets.Sabbir Rahman and Shakib Al Hasan restored some parity for Bangladesh. Sabbir hit a superb 50 runs from 32 balls featuring nine fours. It was Sabbir’s third T20 half century. Shakib Al Hasan grabbed three wickets at the cost of 32 runs.At one stage Bangladesh lost their six wickets for 107 runs. Then debutante Muktar Ali and wicketkeeper-batsman Nurul Hasan contributed 49 runs in the unbroken seventh wicket stand.Nurul Hasan remained unbeaten with 30. He hit five fours in his 17-ball innings. Opener Soumya Sarkar was the other notable run getter for Bangladesh. He made 25 from 21 balls with three fours and a sixer.Grame Cremer captured three wickets instead of 18 runs, while Sikandar Raza took two wickets for seven runs.Earlier, Zimbabwe made a solid start with Hamilton Masakadza and Vusimusi Sibanda, the two openers of Zimbabwe added together 45 runs in the opening stand before Masakadza (20) was caught at the point by Mosaddek Hossain off debutante pacer Mohammad Shahid.Later, Malcolm Waller hit a windy 49 from 23 balls including four sixes and two fours. He was adjudged the Man of the Match for his outstanding batting performance. Waller was caught at the deep mid-wicket by Soumya Sarkar off Shakib Al Hasan when Zimbabwe’s score 163 for the loss of four wickets.Opener Vusimusi Sibanda hit a marvellous 44 from 33 balls cracking six fours and one six. He was caught at the deep mid-wicket by Sabbir Rahman off Shakib Al Hasan when the African’s total was 89 for the loss of three wickets.Second-down Sean Williams notched up a notable 32 off 26 balls including two fours and a six before he was trapped leg before wicket by debutante Abu Haider when Zimbabwe’s score was 177 for the loss of five wickets.Abu Haider bagged two wickets for 40 runs.
