Sabbir Hossain :
All-win Bangladesh stormed into the final crushing Zimbabwe by 91 runs in the fifth match of the Tri-Nation series in the flood-lit Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in the city’s Mirpur on Tuesday.
Electing to bat first, Bangladesh made 216 for the loss of nine wickets in the allotted 50 overs and then dismissed Zimbabwe for 125 runs off 36.3 overs.
Bangladesh lost opener Anamul Haque (1) who was cleanly bowled out by Kyle Jarvis when Bangladesh’s score was only six.
Then Tamim Iqbal and Shakib Al Hasan repaired the damage adding together 106 runs for the second wicket partnership before Shakib Al Hasan was stumped out by Brendan Taylor off Sikandar Raza when the team’s total was 112 for the loss of two wickets.
Tamim Iqbal hits a splendid 76 runs. His 105-ball innings was ornamented with six fours.
It was Tamim Iqbal’s 41st ODI half century. Tamim Iqbal was adjudged the Man of the Match for his outstanding batting performance.
Shakib Al Hasan made a superb 51. His 80-ball knock was decorated with six fours. It was Shakib’s 37th ODI half century.
After Shakib’s dismissal, Tamim Iqbal and Mushfiqur Rahim contributed together 35 runs in the third wicket stand before Mushfiqur Rahim (18) was caught at the short fine leg by Blessing Muzarabani off Graeme Cremer when Bangladesh’s score was 147 for the loss of three wickets.
Tamim Iqbal was stumped out by Taylor off Cremer when the hosts’ total was 163 for the loss of five wickets.
Later, Sunzamul Islam and Mustafizur Rahman put on together 26 runs for the ninth wicket partnership before Sunzamul Islam was caught at the short fine leg by Muzarabani off Tendai Chatara when the Tigers’ score was 196 for the loss of nine wickets.
Mustafizur Rahman remained unbeaten with 18. His 22-ball knock had two fours.
Sunzamul Islam and Mushfiqur Rahim added 18 runs each to the home side’s total.
Graeme Cremer captured four wickets at the cost of 32 runs, while Kyle Jarvis grabbed three wickets instead of 42 runs.
Besides, Tendai Chatara and Sikandar Raza took one wicket each for 33 and 39 runs respectively.
Bangladesh bowlers totally dominated over the batsmen of Zimbabwe.
Shakib Al Hasan claimed three wickets at the cost of 34 runs, while Mustafizur Rahman, Sunzamul Islam, and Mashrafe Bin Mortaza bagged a pair of wickets each for 16, 28 and 29 runs respectively.
Besides, Rubel Hossain took one wicket for 18 runs.
Zimbabwe faced disaster as they lost six wickets for 68 runs.
Mashrafe Bin Mortaza gave his team early breakthrough as opener Hamilton Masakadza (5) was caught at the first slip by Sabbir Rahman off Mashrafe when the African side’s score was 14.
Shakib dismissed Solomon Mire for 7 and removed Brendan Taylor for a duck.
One-down Craig Ervine (11) was caught at the first slip by Sabbir Rahman off Mashrafe.
Sunzamul Islam dismissed Peter Moor for 14 and picked up the wicket of Malcolm Waller for a duck.
After Waller’s removal, Graeme Cremer and Sikandar Raza added 27 runs for the seventh wicket partnership before Cremer (23) was trapped leg before wicket by Rubel Hossain when Zimbabwe’s total was 95 for the loss of seven wickets.
Sikandar Raza fought back making 39. He hit four fours and a sixer in his 59-ball innings before he was bowled out by Mustafizur Rahman when Zimbabwe’s score was 107 for the loss of eight wickets.
Number-ten batsman Tenadi Chatara (8) was caught at the long-on by Sabbir Rahman off Shakib Al Hasan when Zimbawe’s total was 118 for the loss of nine wickets.
Then Kyle Jarvis (10) was caught at the mid-off by Mahmudullah Riyad off Mustafizur Rahman and Zimbabwe’s innings came to an end.
