Sabbir Hossain :Zimbabwe recorded a thrilling three-wicket victory over Bangladesh in the second Twenty20 International match at the jam-packed, flood-lit Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur on Sunday. By virtue of yesterday’s victory, the two-match Twenty20 International series ended in a 1-1 draw.Earlier, Bangladesh registered a four-wicket victory over Zimbabwe in the first Twenty20 International match at the same venue on November 13. Chasing Bangladesh’s total of 135 for the loss of nine wickets in the allotted 20 overs, Zimbabwe reached the winning spot scoring 136 for the loss of seven wickets when they had just one ball to spare.Anamul Haque was the most successful batsman for Bangladesh. He notched up a respectable 47 from 51 balls with three fours. Bangladesh made a modest start with openers Tamim Iqbal and Imrul Kayes adding together 34 runs in the opening stand before Tamim Iqbal was caught at the long-on by Elton Chigumbura off Neville Madziva. Tamim Iqbal hit 21 from 15 balls including two sixes and a four.Then Imrul Kayes (10) stayed at the crease for a short period as he was caught by Sean Williams off Tendai Chisoro when Bangladesh’s score was 35 for the loss of two wickets.Then Mushfiqur Rahim (9) was caught by Sean Williams off Graeme Cremer when the hosts’ total was 59 for the loss of three wickets. After dismissal of Mushfiqur Rahim, Anamul Haque and Sabbir Rahman built the most notable partnership. They put on together 39 runs before Sabbir Rahman (17) was trapped leg before wicket by Graeme Cremer when the home side’s score was 98 for the loss of four wickets.Nasir Hossain (3) failed to make a notable score as he was bowled out by Tinashe Panyangara when Bangladesh’s total was 113 for the loss of five wickets.Mahmudullah Riyad also failed as he was caught at the cover by Luke Jongwe off Panyangara when the hosts’ score was 121 for the loss of six wickets.Then Mashrafe Bin Mortaza (0) returned to the pavilion as he was bowled out by Neville Madziva when the team’s total was 122 for the loss of seven wickets.Arafat Sunny (5) was caught at the long-on by Luke Jongwe off Panyangara when the hosts’ score was 130 for the loss of eight wickets. Then Anamul Haque was run out by Regis Chakbva when Bangladesh’s score was 134 for the loss of nine wickets.Tinashe Panyangara grabbed three wickets at the cost of 30 runs, while Graeme Cremer and Neville Madziva bagged a pair of wickets each for 21 and 25 runs respectively.Zimbabwe faced an early collapse as they lost their first four wickets for 33 runs. Al-Amin Hossain gave his team early breakthrough as Sikandar Raza (5) was caught behind by wicketkeeper Mushfiqur Rahim off Hossain was Zimbabwe’s score was seven for the loss of one wicket. Al-Amin Hossain dismissed Sean Williams (0) in his next delivery when Zimbabwe’s total was seven for the loss of two wickets. Opener Regis Chakabva (4) was caught at the point by Sabbir Rahman off Mustafizur Rahman when the visitors’ total was 15 for the loss of three wickets.Craig Ervine (15) was run out by Nasir Hossain when the visitors’ score was 33 for the loss of four wickets.Skipper Elton Chigumbura (0) was caught at the long-off by Mahmudullah Riyad off Arafat Sunny when the African’s total was 59 for the loss of five wickets.Later, Luke Jongwe and Malcolm Waller fought back adding together 55 runs for the sixth wicket partnership before Luke Jongwe was caught by Imrul Kayes off Al-Amin Hossain when Zimbabwe’s score was 94 for the loss of six wickets.Malcolm Waller hit a quick-fire 40 off 27 balls including three sixes and two fours. He was caught at the long-on by Sabbir Rahman off Nasir Hossain when Zimbabwe’s total was 118 for the loss of seven wickets.Then Neville Madziva played the key role for the African’s victory. He remained unbeaten with 28. He hit three fours and two sixes in his 19-ball innings.Al-Amin Hossain captured three wickets instead of 20 runs, while Mustafizur Rahman, Arafat Sunny and Nasir Hossain took one wicket each for 12, 26 and 45 runs respectively. Neville Madziva was adjudged the Man of the Match for his all-round performance, while Malcolm Waller was adjudged the Player of the Series for his consistent batting performance.
