Sports Reporter :
An all-round performance by Shakib Al Hasan powered Bangladesh to achieve an exciting three-wicket victory over Zimbabwe in the second One Day International (ODI) match at Harare Sports Club Ground in Zimbabwe on Sunday. Earlier, Bangladesh thrashed Zimbabwe by 155 runs in the first ODI at the same ground on July 16. By virtue of Sunday’s victory, Bangladesh won the ODI series 2-0.
Shakib remained unbeaten with 96. He hit eight fours in his 109-ball terrific innings. He claimed two wickets in the space of 42 runs. Shakib was adjudged the Man of the Match for his match-winning performance.
Chasing Zimbabwe’s total of 240 for the loss of nine wickets, Bangladesh romped home making 242 for the loss of seven wickets when they had five balls to spare.
Bangladesh made a good start as openers Tamim Iqbal and Liton Das contributed together 39 runs in the opening stand before Tamim Iqbal (20) was caught the point by Sikandar Raza off Luke Jongwe.
After Tamim’s dismissal, Liton Das could stay at the crease for a short period as he (21)
was caught at the mid-on by Brendan Taylor off Richard Ngarava when Bangladesh’s score was 42 for the loss of two wickets.
Second-down Mohammad Mithun (2) was caught at the cover by Wessley Madhevere off Jongwe when the tourists’ total was 50 for the loss of three wickets.
Third-down Mosaddek Hossain (5) was run out by a direct throw of wicketkeeper Regis Chakabva when the visitors’ score was 75 for the loss of four wickets.
Then Shakib Al Hasan and Mahmudullah Riyad mended the innings contributing together 55 runs in the five-wicket stand before Riyad (26) was caught behind by wicketkeeper Chakabva off Blessing Muzarabani when the Tigers’ total was 130 for the loss of five wickets.
After Riyad’s departure, Mehidy Hasan Miraz (6) was caught at the deep midwicket by Dion Myers off Madhevere when the touring side’s score was 145 for the loss of six wickets.
Sixth-down Afif Hossain (15) was stumped out by wicketkeeper Chakabva off Sikandar Raza when Bangladesh’s total was 173 for the loss of seven wickets.
Then Shakib Al Hasan and Mohammad Saifuddin contributed together 69 runs for the unbroken stand and reached the winning target.
Saifuddin remained unbeaten with 28. He hit one four in his 34-ball innings.
Luke Jongwe bagged two wickets for 46 runs, while Muzarabani, Ngarava, Sikandar Raza, Madhevere took one wicket each.
Left-arm promising pacer Shoriful Islam played the key role to restrict Zimbabwe to a modest total. Shoriful captured four wickets at the cost of 46 runs.
Zimbabwe had a poor start as they lost their early two wickets for 33 runs.
Opener Tinashe Kamunhukamye (1) was caught at the point by Afif Hossain off Taskin Ahmed and Tadiwanashe Marumani (13) was bowled out by Mehidy Hasan Miraz when the hosts’ total was 33.
Then Regis Chakabva and Brendan Taylor repaired the damage adding together 47 runs for the third-wicket partnership before Chakabva (26) was bowled out by Shakib Al Hasan when the home side’s score was 80 for the loss of three wickets.
Second-down Brendan Taylor was hit wicket off Shoriful Islam when Zimbabwe’s score was 111 for the loss of four wickets.
Taylor made 46 from 57 deliveries including five fours and a sixer.
After Taylor’s dismissal, Dion Myers and Wessley Madhevere put on together 35 runs in five-wicket stand before Myers (34) was caught at the long-on by Mahmudullah Riyad when the hosts’ total was 146 for the loss of five wickets.
Madhevere and Sikandar Raza added together 63 runs for the sixth wicket partnership before Madhevere was caught at the long-off by Tamim Iqbal off Shoriful Islam when the African side’s score was 209 for the loss of six wickets.
Madhevere notched up a fine 56. His 63-ball innings had five fours and a sixer.
Then Luke Jongwe (8) was caught by Mosaddek Hossain off Shoriful Islam when Zimbabwe’s total was 220 for the loss of seven wickets.
Shoriful struck again as Blessing Muzarabani (0) caught by wicketkeeper Liton Das off the promising pacer when the hosts’ score was 221 for the loss of eight wickets.
Then Raza (30) was caught behind by Liton Das off Mohammad Saifuddin when Zimbabwe’s score was 229 for the loss of nine wickets.
Miraz, Taskin, Saifuddin took one wicket apiece.
