SHAKIB Al Hasan’s unbeaten 96 helped Bangladesh to a three-wicket victory over Zimbabwe and take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series, which forms part of the Cricket World Cup League series.
Shakib and Mohammad Saifuddin shared a 69 runs unbroken match-winning eighth-wicket partnership.
In pursuit of 241 runs for victory, Bangladesh openers Tamim Iqbal and Liton Das were circumspect as the Zimbabwe bowlers gave nothing upfront. It was first to change bowler Luke Jongwe who struck with his third delivery removing the danger man Iqbal for 20 runs. Iqbal was snapped up by Sikandar Raza at point.
Shakib joined the centurion of the first ODI, Das but the pair only added seven runs before the latter top-edged a good length Richard Ngarava delivery, gifting Brendan Taylor an easy catch at mid-on.
The home side were on a roll as Wessley Madhevere, at cover-point, took another stunner to dismiss Mohammad Mithun for two runs, Jongwe getting his second wicket.
Suddenly the Chevrons became vocal in the field as they could sense the momentum shifting in their favour.
Shakib and Mosaddek Hossain tried to repair the damage. But just as they were going well, Mossadek was brilliantly run out by the wicketkeeper Regis Chakabva after trying to steal a run from a misfield and Bangladesh reeling at 75 for four after 18 overs.
Shakib was joined by another experienced campaigner in Mahmudullah Riyad and they put on 55 runs for the fifth wicket. Taylor went in search of a breakthrough as he shuffled his bowlers around.
He recalled his premier bowler Blessing Muzarabani and he delivered again for his captain by getting Mahmudullah caught behind by Chakabva for 26 runs from 35 balls which included three fours.
Mehidy Hasan, who injured his finger whilst bowling, was promoted to bat at number seven. The instruction from the pavilion was for him to try and score some quick runs as Bangladesh were in a spot of bother at 130 for five after 28.1 overs.
Zimbabwe continued to strike, and this time it was Madhevere’s turn to get on the wickets column with Mehidy’s scalp. One end was now open, and the home side was starting to even believe that the game could be won.
Taylor continued to rotate his bowlers around Madhevere, Raza in his first game after an injury layoff, bowled one that went away from Affif Hossain after he danced down the track, Chakabva had the easiest of stumpings.
Bangladesh were now seven down, but they knew that with Shakib, who had crossed 50 still at the crease, they had a chance if he took the game deep. His experience was the difference between the two teams in a game of small margins. He trusted Saifuddin and never hit a shot in anger.
Zimbabwe got a half chance when a Ngarava bouncer found the edge of Saffiudin’s bat, and a diving Chakabva could not hold on to a difficult catch after having done all the hard work to get to the ball.
In the end, Zimbabwe had done well to make a game out of it as they were probably 20-30 runs short on a wicket that was good for batting, although on the slow side.
Earlier, Taylor won the toss and elected to bat as he tried to shield his young team from chasing in a must-win game.
However, their woes at the top of the order continued to trouble them as Tafadzwa Kamunhukamwe, who came in for the injured Ryan Burl, was dismissed in the first over for a single.
Once again, the Zimbabwe batters started, but none converted their positive start into a big score.
Madhevere top-scored for Zimbabwe, scoring his third ODI half-century, 56 second against Bangladesh and his first home.
Zimbabwe will feel unlucky with Taylor’s dismissal, which became the turning point of the match.
Taylor was adjudged to be out hit wicket by the TV umpire Langton Rusere. He tried to play a ramp shot but missed, and in trying to play a shadow practice a shot, he hit his wicket with the bat.
However, according to Law 35 of the game, much of the interpretation is left to the umpire on whether the ball was dead or Taylor’s shadow shot was deemed to be part of his follow-through after playing his shot.
The two teams play again on Tuesday with a further 10 points at stake.
