Shoriful, Shakib guide Bangladesh to series win

AFTER Shoriful Islam’s spell of 4 46 reduced the hosts to 240, Shakib Al Hasan’s unbeaten 96 helped Bangladesh clinch the series 2-0 on Sunday and consolidate their second spot in the ICC Cricket World Cup Super League standings.

Bangladesh made it difficult for themselves in the chase but Shakib Al Hasan, as he has done so often for his team in the past, ensured the visitors got home with three wickets in hand and five balls to spare.

Looking to make a comeback into the series, imbabwe chose to bat first after winning the toss. The hosts got off to a poor start as Taskin Ahmed dismissed Tinashe Kamunhukamwe (1) in the very first over before Tadiwanashe Marumani (13) was scalped by Mehidy Hasan in the sixth over.

Captain Brendan Taylor and Regis Chakabva then consolidated the innings with a 47-run stand.

Shakib Al Hasan provided the crucial breakthrough for Bangladesh as he cleaned up Chakabva (26). Taylor (46) then got out in absolutely bizarre fashion - the imbabwe captain shadow-practised a shot but failed to control the follow-through of the bat, thus resulting in a hit-wicket.

In Bangladesh’s reply, Liton Das and Tamim Iqbal started tentatively to make sure they didn’t give away early wickets to the bowlers. Iqbal’s (20) wicket however did trigger a mini-collapse as Bangladesh went from 39 0 to 50 3 as Das (21) and Mohammad Mithun (2) fell cheaply. The visitors got into further trouble when Mosaddek Hossain was run out trying to steal a single as the scoreboard read 75 4.

The experienced duo of Shakib and Mahumudullah bailed The Tigers out of trouble while keeping their required run rate in check with their 55-run stand from 61 balls. imbabwe felt they were back in the game with wickets of Mehidy Hasan Miraz (6) and then Afif Hossain (15) before Shakib found an able ally in Mohammad Saifuddin.

Shakib was awarded the Player of the Match for his allround performance of 96 and 2 42. With the series at 2-0 in Bangladesh’s favour, the two teams will clash in the final ODI in Harare on Tuesday, 20 July.

Scores: Bangladesh 242 for

7 (Shakib 96*, Saifuddin 28*, Jongwe 2-46) beat Zimbabwe

240 for 9 (Madhevere 56, Taylor 46, Shoriful 4-46) by 3 wickets.