Sports Reporter :
Bangladesh lost to Zimbabwe in the three-match Twenty20 International (T20I) series 2-1 as the tourists tasted a narrow 10-run defeat to the hosts in their third T20I match at Harare Sports Club Ground in Zimbabwe on Tuesday.
Electing to bat first, Zimbabwe piled up a fighting total of 156 for the loss of eight wickets in the stipulated 20 overs and then restricted Bangladesh to 146 for the loss of eight wickets in 20 overs.
Bangladesh had an early disaster as they lost three wickets for 34 runs.
Then Najmul Hossain Shanto and Mahmudullah Riyad repaired the damage adding together 26 runs for the fourth wicket partnership before Shanto (16) was caught at the short fine leg by Luke Jongwe off Sean Williams when Bangladesh’s score was 60 for the loss of four wickets.
After Shanto’s departure, Riyad and Afif Hossain contributed together 39 runs in the five-wicket stand before Riyad (27) was caught behind by Regis Chakabva when the touring side’s total was 99 for the loss of five wickets.
After Riyad’s dismissal, Afif Hossain and Mahedi Hasan put on together 34 runs for the seventh wicket partnership before Mahedi (22) was caught by Sikandar Raza off Victor Nyauchi when Bangladesh’s score was 133 for the loss of seven wickets.
Apart from Afif, Bangladesh batters failed to hit aggressive shot. Thus they paid heavily. Afif remained unbeaten with 39. His 27-ball innings saw three fours.
Nyauchi was his team’s most successful bowler with three wickets in the space of 29 runs. Brad Evans bagged two wickets at the cost of 26 runs, while Wessly Madhevere got one wicket.
Earlier, Zimbabwe faced a debacle as they lost six wickets for 67 runs.
Then, Ryan Burl and Luke Jongwe rescued their team from debacle adding together 79 runs for the seventh wicket partnership before Jongwe was caught at the cover by Mosaddek Hossain off Hasan Mahmud when the home side’s’ total was 146 for the loss of seven wickets.
Burl hit a windy 54, while Jongwe notched up a fine 35.
Hasan Mahmud and Mahedi Hasan bagged two wickets each instead of 28 runs each.
Mahmudullah Riyad, Mustafizur Rahman, Mosaddek Hossain and Nasum Ahmed took one wicket each for eight, 22, 22 and 40 runs respectively.
