Sports Reporter :
Zimbabwe leveled 1-1 with Bangladesh in the Twenty20 International (T20I) serie, as the hosts beat the visitors by 23 runs in the second T20I match at Harare Sports Club Ground in Zimbabwe on Friday.
Bangladesh crushed Zimbabwe by eight wickets in the first T20I at the same ground on July 22.
The third and final T20I will be held tomorrow at the same ground.
Chasing Zimbabwe’s fighting total of 166 for the loss of six wickets in the allotted 20 overs, Bangladesh were all out for 143 off 19.5 overs.
Debutante Shamim Hossain, promising Afif Hossain and tail-ender Mohammad Saifuddin of the tourists fought back against the good bowling attack of the home side.
Shamim hit a quick-fire 29. His 13-ball innings was belted with two sixes and three fours. Afif made 24 from 25 balls featuring one four and one six.
Saifuddin scored 19 from 15 balls including one four and one six.
Wellington Masakadza and Luke Jongwe of Zimbabwe were the most successful bowlers for their side. Masakadza and Jongwe captured three wickets each instead of 20 and 31 runs respectively.
Earlier promising left-arm pacer Shoriful Islam restored some parity for his country bagging three wickets at the cost of 33 runs.
Zimbabwe had a poor start as opener Tadiwanashe Marumani (3) was bowled out by Mahedi Hasan when the hosts’ total was just 15.
Regis Chakabva (14) was caught at the mid-off by Shoriful Islam off Shakib Al Hasan when the home side’s score was 42 for the loss of two wickets.
Then Wessley Madhevere and Dion Myers repaired the damage contributing together 57 runs in the third wicket stand before Myers (26) was caught at the point by Mahedi Hasan off Shoriful Islam when Zimbabwe’s total was 99 for the loss of three wickets.
Later, Zimbabwe failed to build any notable partnership but they were able to make a commanding total.
Madhevere notched up a fine 73. His 57-ball innings saw five fours and three sixes.
Ryan Burl remained unbeaten with 34. His 19-ball knock had two fours and two sixes. Mahedi Hasan and Shakib Al Hasan took one wicket each for 11 and 32 runs respectively.
