Sports Reporter :Bangladesh clinched the ODI series 2-0 when the Tigers composed an easy 58-run victory over Zimbabwe in the second ODI at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur on Monday.Earlier, Bangladesh registered a huge 145-run victory over their African counterpart in the first ODI at the same venue on November 7.Batting first Bangladesh made a fighting total of 241 for the loss of nine wickets in the allotted 50 overs and then they shot out Zimbabwe for 183 off 43.2 overs.Bangladesh made a modest start as they lost their first wicket for 32 runs. Opener Tamim Iqbal (19) was caught behind by wicketkeeper Regis Chakabva off Tinashe Panyangara. Liton Das (7) failed again as he was caught behind by wicketkeeper Regis Chakabva off Panyangara when Bangladesh’s score was 47 for the loss of two wickets. Mahmudullah Riyad (4) also failed again as he was caught behind by wicketkeeper Regis Chakabva off Graeme Cremer when the hosts’ total was 79 for the loss of three wickets.Then opener Imrul Kayes and Mushfiqur Rahim contributed 48 runs for the fourth wicket partnership before Mushfiqur Rahim (21) was caught at the short third-man by Luke Jongwe off Graeme Cremer when the home sides’ score was 127 for the loss of four wickets.Imrul Kayes got his rhythm making a superb 76. His 89-ball innings was laced with four sixes and six fours. He was caught at the long-off by Graeme Cremer off Sean Williams when Bangladesh’s total was 151 for the loss of five wickets. It was Imrul’s 11th ODI half century. Imrul Kayes was adjudged the Man of the Match for his match-winning innings. His 76 runs was difference between the score of Bangladesh and Zimbabwe.After dismissal of Kayes, Sabbir Rahman and Nasir Hossain repaired the damage contributing together 42 runs for the sixth wicket stand before Sabbir Rahman was caught behind by wicketkeeper Regis Chakabva off Luke Jongwe when the team’s score was 193 for the loss of six wickets.After departure of Sabbir Rahman, Nasir Hossain and Mashrafe Bin Mortaza put on together 38 runs before Mashrafe Bin Mortaza (13) was caught at the long-off by Chamu Chibhabha off Tuarai Muzarabani when the hosts’ total was 231 for the loss of seven wickets.Nasir Hossain hit his team’s second highest score. He made 41 off 53 balls. He hit three fours before he was caught at the deep mid-wicket by Craig Ervine off Tinashe Panyangara when Bangladesh’s score was 234 for the loss of eight wickets.Sabbir Rahman scored 33 from 40 balls including four fours.After departure of Nasir Hossain, Arafat Sunny (3) was caught at the cover by Craig Ervine off Taurai Muzarabani when the Tigers’ total was 236 for the loss of nine wickets.Tinashe Panyangara earned respect from Bangladesh batsmen grabbing three wickets at the cost of 41 runs.Taurai Muzarabani and Graeme Cremer bagged a pair of wickets for 32 and 41runs respectively.Most of the Zimbabwean batsmen failed to resist the tight and controlled bowling attack. Thus the tourists conceded another defeat. Mustafizur Rahman captured three wickets instead of 33 runs while Al-Amin Hossain and Nasir Hossain bagged a pair of wickets each for 22 and 36 runs respectively.Besides, Arafat Sunny and Mashrafe Bin Mortaza took one wicket apiece.Zimbabwe faced an early batting collapse losing three wickets for 45 runs.Spinner Arafat Sunny gave his team early breakthrough when opener Regis Chakabva (1) was trapped leg before wicket by Sunny when Zimbabwe’s score was 22 for the loss of one wicket. Then country’s best pacer Mashrafe Bin Mortaza dismissed opener Chamu Chibhabhva (14) when the African’s total was 23 for the loss of two wickets.Sean Williams (14) was caught at the mid-off by Nasir Hossain from a delivery of Mustafizur Rahman when the visitors’ total was 45 for the loss of three wickets.Then Graig Ervine (26) was run out by an accurate throw of Liton Das when Zimbabwe’s score was 78 for the loss of four wickets. Later, Elton Chigumbura and Sikandar Raza built a notable partnership. They added together 73 runs in the fifth wicket stand before Sikandar Raza was caught at the mid-on by Imrul Kayes off Al-Amin Hossain when the visitors’ total was 151 for the loss of five wickets.After removal of Sikandar Raza, Elton Chigumbura’s innings was short-lived as Chigumbura was caught at the third-man by Imrul Kayes off Al-Amin Hossain when the African’s score was 156 for the loss of six wickets. Chigumbura hit a captain’s knock of 47. His 77-ball innings was belted with two sixes and two fours, while Sikandar Raza made a respectable 33 runs from 42 balls with two fours and a six. After departure of Chigumbura, Malcolm Waller (8) was caught behind by Mushfiqur Rahim off Nasir Hossain when Zimbabwe’s total was 175 for the loss of seven wickets.Then new sensation Mustafizur Rahman dismissed Lukke Jongwe (11) when the touring sides’ score was 177 for the loss of eight wickets.Mustafizur Rahman took his day’s third wicket when Tinashe Panyangara (4) was caught at the point by Mashrafe Bin Mortaza when the visitors’ total was 181 for the loss of nine wickets.Nasir Hossain completed the series win when Graeme Cremer (1) was stumped out by wicketkeeper Mushfiqur Rahim off Nasir.Tomorrow Bangladesh will take on Zimbabwe in the third and last ODI at the same venue. The day/night game will start at 1.00 pm.
