Shakib, Mahmudullah star in consolation win
Bangladesh finally seemed to have found the code of winning on Zimbabwean soil as they outclassed the hosts by a massive margin of 93 runs to notch up their second consecutive win of the ODI series. The win narrowed down their overall margin of defeat in the series to 3-2 after they lost three consecutive matches. Skipper Shakib al Hasan and all-rounder Mahmudullah were the heroes with both scoring valiant fifties and picking up 5 wickets between themselves to derail the Zimbabwean chase.
Chasing 253 on a flat deck, Zimbabwe lost Captain Brendon Taylor early for a duck. Hamilton Masakadza and Sibanda steadied the ship with a 59 run stand but fell within three overs to leave the chase wobbling once again. The wicket of experienced Tatenda Taibu further dented their prospects as Bangladesh spinners began to take center stage.
At 73 for four, Zimbabwe had still firepower left in the tank, Mutizwa and Waller added 67 for the fifth to briefly revive hopes of a win. That, however, proved just a mirage as the batting simply caved in after that. From 140 for 4, Zimbabwe were all out for 160. Their last six wickets fell for just 20 runs, Waller’s 51 going in vain. Mahmudullah was architect of the collapse picking up 3 for 13 in four overs.
Earlier, Shakib al Hasan played a captain’s innings to bail his side out of trouble, with Mahmudullah he shared a vital century stand to take Bangladesh to 253. This after the Zimbabwean spinners had the visitors in all sorts of trouble at the mid-way stage.
After being put in, Bangladesh openers started cautiously as the bowlers were getting little bit of help. Imrul Kayes scratched around 26 deliveries before Keegan Meth found his edge, but Tamim Iqbal hit some lusty boundaries to give the run rate a bit of flip. Ashraful, known for his inconsistent batting, yet again couldn’t do much and was dismissed for 15. Tamim also had to go back to the pavilion five short of a fifty as the Zimbabwean slow bowlers made their first impression on the game.
Mushfiqur and Shuvagoto also departed in quick session, Bangladesh were struggling at 127 for 5 in the 30th over. At this point, Shakib and Mahmudullah joined forces and got their side out of trouble with a match-winning 107 run partnership. Shakib was the aggressor at first but realizing the importance of his wicket concentrated on singles and doubles. On the contrary, Mahmudullah was slow off the blocks, though made it up with a flourish in the end. Shakib was finally dismissed for 79, while as his partner remained unbeaten on 60.
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