Sports Reporter :Bangladesh clinched the ODI series 3-0 when the Tigers composed a resounding 124-run victory over Zimbabwe in the third ODI at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur on Wednesday.This is Bangladesh’s third consecutive victory in a row. Earlier, Bangladesh scored a massive 87-run victory over their African counterpart in the first ODI at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chittagong on November 21.The Tigers registered a huge 68-run victory over the tourists in the second ODI at the same venue on November 23. Sent into bat first, Bangladesh piled up a mammoth 297 for the loss of six wickets in the allotted 50 overs and then they skittled out Zimbabwe for 173 off 39.5 overs. Tamim Iqbal and Anamul Haque, the two openers of Bangladesh paved their path smooth contributing together 121 runs in the opening stand before Tamim Iqbal was run out by Brendan Taylor. Anamul Haque notched up a superb 95. His 120-ball innings was laced with nine fours.Anamul fulfilled his 3rd ODI half century playing 66 deliveries. Anamul Haque was adjudged the Player of the Match for his marvellous innings.Tamim Iqbal hit a polished 40 from 63 balls with two fours and a sixer. After dismissal of Tamim Iqbal, Anamul Haque and Mominul Haque built another notable partnership. They added together 39 runs for the second wicket partnership before Mominul Haque was caught at the mid-off by Timycen Maruma off Hamilton Masakadza when Bangladesh’s score was 160 for the loss of two wickets.Then Anamul Haque was caught at the deep midwicket by substitute Shingi Masakadza off Tafadzwa Kamungozi when the team’s total was 167 for the loss of three wickets.Later, Shakib Al Hasan and Mushfiqur Rahim contributed together valuable 72 runs in the fourth wicket stand before Shakib Al Hasan was caught at the long leg by Elton Chigumbura off Tinashe Panyangara when the Tigers total was 239 for the loss of four wickets.Prolific Shakib Al Hasan hit a worthy 40 from 33 balls including four boundaries.After departure of Shakib, Mahmudullah Riyad and Sabbir Rahman put on together 46 runs in the six-wicket stand before Sabbir Rahman was caught at the long-on by Timycen Maruma when Bangladesh’s score was 290 for the loss of six wickets.Mahmudullah Riyad remained unbeaten with 33. His 26-ball knock was studded with five fours while Mushfiqur Rahim hit a quick-fire 33 off 22 balls including three fours and a sixer. Tinashe Panyangara was the peak of the Zimbabwean bowlers who bagged two wickets at the cost of 54 runs.Zimbabwe made a poor start as the African side lost their early three wickets for 39 runs.Then Brendan Taylor and Solomon Mire repaired the early damage adding together 41 runs in the fourth wicket stand before Mire was stumped out by Mushfiqur Rahim off Arafat Sunny when the tourists total was 80 for the loss of four wickets. After dismisal of Mire, the Zimbabwean batsmen failed to make any notable partnership.Most of the batsmen of Zimbabwe became helpless to face tight and controlled bowling attack of Bangladesh.Elton Chigumbura remained unbeaten with 53. His 46-ball innings was decorated with four fours and two sixes.Brendan Taylor scored 28 runs before he was trapped leg before wicket by Shakib Al Hasan. Left-arm spinner Arafat Sunny played the key role in wrecking Zimbabwean Innings.He grabbed four wickets instead of 27 runs. Pacers Rubel Hossain and Mashrafe Bin Mortaza gave him a good support bagging a pair of wickets each for 22 and 24 runs respectively.Besides, Shakib Al Hasan and Mahmudullah Riyad got one wicket each.
