Sports Reporter :
Bangladesh thrashed Zimbabwe by 105 runs in the third and last One Day International (ODI) match at the Harare Sports Club Ground in Zimbabwe on Wednesday.
Zimbabwe clinched the ODI series 2-1.
Sent into bat first, Bangladesh piled up a satisfactory total of 256 for the loss of nine wickets in the allotted 50 overs and then shot out Zimbabwe for 151 off 32.2 overs.
Bangladesh had a good start as the openers Tamim Iqbal and Anamul Haque put on 41 runs in the opening stand before Tamim (19) was run out by joint-effort Wessly Madhevere and Richard Ngarava.
Anamul Haque and Mahmudullah Riyad repaired the damage contributing together 77 runs for the fourth wicket partnership before Anamul was caught behind by wicketkeeper Clive Madande off Luke Jongwe when the visitors’ score was 124 for the loss of four wickets.
Anamul notched up a splendid 76. His 71-ball innings saw four sixes and six fours. It was Anamul’s fifth half-century in ODI cricket.
After Anamul’s departure, Mahmuduallh and Afif Hossain scored together 49 runs in the fifth wicket stand before Mahmudullah (39) was bowled out by Ngarava when Bangladesh’s total was 173 for the loss of five wickets.
Afif Hossain remained unbeaten with 85 runs. He struck six fours and two sixes in his 81-ball knock. It was Afif’s third half-century in ODI cricket. He was adjudged the Man of the Match.
Afif Hossain and Mahidy Hasan Miraz put on together 33 runs for the sixth wicket partnership before Miraz (14) was trapped leg before wicket by Sikandar Raza when the touring side’s score was 206 for the loss of six wickets.
Jongwe and Evans bagged two wickets each instead of 38 and 53 runs respectively.
Raza and Ngarava took one wicket each conceding 42 and 51 runs respectively.
Later, most of the Zimbabwean batters failed to resist the superb and controlled bowling attack of Bangladesh.
Left-arm pacer Mustafizur Rahman captured four wickets in the space of 17 runs, while Taijul Islam and Ebadot Hossain bagged two wickets instead of 34 and 38 runs respectively.
Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Hasan Mahmud took one wicket each for 16 and 38 runs respectively.
Ngarava and Victory Nyauchi fought back against tight bowling attack of Bangladesh bowlers.
They put on together 68 runs for the last wicket partnership.
Ngarava remained unbeaten with 34 runs.
