A defiant half-century from Sikandar Raza was not enough to prevent Bangladesh from cruising to a seven-wicket win over Zimbabwe at Harare Sports Club on Sunday and level the three-match series.
The defeat, which was watched by a near-capacity crowd, ended a six-match unbeaten run under Dave Houghton.
Raza watched as wickets fell around him after Zimbabwe had won the toss and elected to bat on a good batting wicket.
When you play the brand of cricket, the Chevrons are trying to play a banana skin moment will always come.
It, however, came at the wrong time when the home side was trying to pile more misery on the Tigers by clinching the series today.
Zimbabwe failed the spin test of Hossain Mosaddek as they tried to hit him out of the attack during the powerplay overs.
Regis Chakabva’s eyes lit up when he saw a wide arm ball from Mosaddek but probably went too hard on the ball and could only manage an outside edge to the keeper Nural Hasan for a golden duck.
Wessly Madhevere suffered the same fate of going hard at the ball instead of timing it to be caught at cover point by Mahedi Hasan in the first over off Mosaddek.
Zimbabwe continued attacking, and why not? It’s the cricket that has booked them a ticket to the World Cup in Australia in October.
Craig Ervine, Sean Williams, and Milton Shumba fell in single figures to give Mosaddek 5 for 20 runs in his four overs.
Zimbabwe had lost half their side inside seven overs with 31-5 on the board.
Raza and Ryan Burl had to take the game deep to give their team a chance.
The pair obliged, with Raza curbing his natural attacking instinct but finding the boundary regularly.
Raza got to his second successive half-century, his fourth in seven matches.
Unfortunately, he could not do it alone, and the pressure eventually came to the fore as he perished for 62 from 53 balls with eight balls to go as he played one shot too many.
Zimbabwe, who looked like they were going to be bowled out for less than 100, managed to get to 135-8 in their innings.
The surface was so good for batting as Bangladesh plundered 56 from 33 ball runs in the power play led by Liton Das, who was not taking any prisoners.
Das took a liking towards Tanaka Chivanga and had to be removed from the attack after just bowling one over.
The Bangladesh experienced batsman Das will surely be in trouble with match Ref Andy Pycrodt and lose his match fees after the umpire gave him out lbw but showed dissent by staying at the crease, demonstrating that the ball was probably going down leg side.
Das top scored for Bangladesh with 53 runs and had done his job to help his side to level the series and set up a thrilling decider on Tuesday.
Ahead of the decider, Zimbabwe will be sweating over the fitness of their captain Ervine who was injured whilst fielding.
Another stern test awaits Houghton and the boys on Tuesday as they stare at a rare series win against the Tigers.
A bigger crowd than usual for a Tuesday is expected, and Zimbabwe will have to bring their A-game to appease their success-starved legion of fans.
