Sports Reporter :
An all-round performance by in-form Sabbir Rahman powered Bangladesh to post a massive 42-run victory over the touring Zimbabwe in the 2nd Twenty20 International match at the Sheikh Abu Naser Stadium in Khulna on Sunday.
Earlier, Bangladesh recorded an easy four-wicket victory over their African counterpart in the 1st Twenty20 International match at the same venue on January 15.
By virtue of yesterday’s victory, Bangladesh reached the safe home and confirmed that Bangladesh will not be beaten by Zimbabwe in the four-match series.
Sabbir Rahman remained unbeaten with 43 and grabbed three wickets at the cost of 11 runs. Sabbir hit three sixes and one four in his 30-ball innings. He was adjudged the Man of the Match for his all-round performance.
Electing to bat first, Bangladesh piled up a healthy total of 167 for the loss of three wickets in the stipulated 20 overs and they restricted Zimbabwe to 125 for the loss of eight wickets in 20 overs.
Bangladesh made a good start with Tamim Iqbal and Soumya Sarkar, the two openers put on together 45 before Tamim Iqbal was caught at the short fine-leg by Brian Vittori from a delivery of Taurai Muzarabani.
Then Soumya Sarkar and Sabbir Rahman contributed together 30 runs in the second wicket stand before Soumya Sarkar was caught at the deep mid-wicket by Malcolm Waller off Graeme Cremer when Bangladesh’s total was 75 for the loss of two wickets.
Sarkar hit a splendid 43 from 33 balls featuring three sixes and four fours.
Second-down Mahmudullah (1) could stay at the crease for a short period as he was caught by wicketkeeper Richmond Mutumbani off Wellington Masakadza when Bangladsesh’s score was 76 for the loss of three wickets.
Later, Sabbir Rahman and Mushfiqur Rahim added 52 runs in the fourth wicket stand before Mushfiqur was retired hurt when Bangladesh’s total was 128 for the loss of three wickets.
Then Sabbir Rahman and Shakib Al Hasan contributed 39 runs for the unbroken fifth wicket partnership before Bangladesh’s innings came to an end.
Shakib Al Hasan remained unbeaten with 27. He hit two fours and a six in his 17-ball innings.
Mushfiqur Rahim made 24 from 20 balls, while Tamim Iqbal scored 23 off 17 balls including three fours and a sixer.
Later, Zimbabwe made a notable start as openers Vusimusi Sibanda and Hamilton Masakadza added together 50 runs before Vusimusi Sibanda (21) was bowled out by Mashrafe Bin Mortaza.
After dismissal of Sibanda, Zimbabwe could build only one remarkable partnership against the superb bowling attack of Bangladesh bowlers.
Malcolm Waller and Peter Moor put on together 37 runs in the fifth wicket partnership before Malcolm Waller was caught at the cover by Soumya Sarkar from a delivery of Al-Amin Hossain when Zimbabwe’s score was 105 for the loss of five wickets.
Then Bangladesh bowlers dominated over Zimbabwean batsmen and restricted them to a score, which was far from Bangladesh’s total.
Specially, ‘Wonder Boy’ Mustafizur Rahman, who dismissed Peter Moor (9) and Neville Madziva (0) in his unfinished fourth over.
Mustafizur captured two wickets instead of 19 runs, while Shuvagata Hom, Al-Amin Hossain and Mashrafe Bin Mortaza took one wicket each for 18, 21 and 25 runs respectively.
Hamilton Masakadza and Malcolm Waller added 30 and 29 runs respectively to the Zimbabwe total.
