Sports
ODI Series Shakib's unbeaten 96 helps Bangladesh win ODI series against Zimbabwe
Harare, July 19: Riding on talisman Shakib Al Hasan's unbeaten innings of 96 runs, visitors Bangladesh won the second ODI match and the series against hosts Zimbabwe at the Harare Sports Club on Sunday.
Chasing a tarhet of 241 runs, Bangladesh made a solid start with both openers- skipper Tamim Iqbal (20) and wicket-keeper Liton Das (21)- stitching together a partnership of 39 runs in 9.3 overs before the former departed. Das followed soon.
At 75 for the loss of four wickets, Bangladesh looked uncomfortable, but senior pros Shakib and Mahmadullah (26) forged a useful partnership of 55 runs.
The visitors were still in a precarious position and staring at an eminent defeat at the time of Mahmudullah's departure, which was execerbated by all-rounder Mehidy Hasan Miraj's (6) dismissal, who gifted his wicket away.
Afif Hossain (15) tried his best to keep the bowlers at bay as Shakib and he farmed the strike to keep the scoreboard moving. Afif, whose virtue was largely patience in his 23-ball innings, lost it and his wicket to leave Shakib and the team hanging at 173 for the loss of seven wickets.
Needing 68 runs in 11.3 overs, Shakib anchored the chased with all-rounder Saifuddin, who kept his composure in his well-compiled, important knock of unbeaten 28 runs.
For Zimbabwe, Luke Jonghe picked up two wickets, supported by Sikandar Raza, Wesley Madhevere, Blessing Muzarabani and Richard Ngarava, who picked up a wicket each.
Zimbabwe had set a target of 241 runs for the visiting Bangladesh side after winning the toss and batting first.
Wesley Madhevere top scored for the hosts with an innings of 56 runs. Skipper Brendan Taylor missed yet another ODI half-century by four runs.
Among the other batsmen, Dion Myers (34), Sikandar Raza (30) and wicket-keeper Regis Chakabva (26), all got start but failed to capitalise.
Shoriful Islam was the best among the Bangladeshi bowlers, picking up four wickets. All-rounder Shakib Al Hasan, who was adjudged the Man of the Match for his unbeaten innings of 96 runs, picked up two wickets. The other three wickets were shared apiece by Mehidy Hasan, Mohammad Saifuddin and Taskin Ahmed.
