Tigers clinch ODI series

Shakib Al Hasan’s unbeaten 96 lead Bangladesh Cricket Team to their second ODI victory as the visitors sealed the three-match series against Zimbabwe in Harare Sports Club Sunday.

Bangladesh ace all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan fought back after a disappointing run with the bat, picking up his 49th ODI fifty in the second ODI against Zimbabwe on Sunday at Harare. The innings was a different picture than most other knocks from Shakib as the all-rounder managed to get back into the flow with the Tigers losing wickets at the other end. He went inside out against the spin to Sikandar Raza in the 30th over, hitting the ball through covers to bring up his fifty. Earlier in the morning Zimbabwe Captain Taylor won the toss and elected to bat first against a high-flying Bangladesh team in the second and penultimate ODI at Harare Sports Club Sunday. Tigers remained unchanged as their counterpart Zimbabwe made two changes - Sikandar Raza and Tinashe Kamunhukamwe are in, replacing Burl and Maruma - both injured. With a record 155-run win in the first game, visitors Bangladesh look to maintain their dominance and win the second match to secure yet another 10 points in the ICC Men’s World Cup Super League, and the series with a game to spare.

Earlier, Bangladesh newcomer Shoriful Islam took four wickets as hosts Zimbabwe gave 241-run target to the Tigers to save the series.  Wessley Madhevere top-scored with 56 runs, but it was his 63-run sixth-wicket stand with Sikandar Raza that helped Zimbabwe pass the 200-run threshold. Having won the toss, Zimbabwe began poorly, losing openers Tinashe Kamunhukamwe (1) and Tadiwanashe Marumani (13) cheaply. Captain Brendan Taylor was his usual swashbuckling self, making 46 off 57 balls, before his innings came to a bizarre 'hit wicket' end. He swung his bat casually at a delivery from the most impressive Bangladesh bowler, Shoriful and it clipped the stump. Taylor was one of four wickets taken by left-arm quick Shoriful, who finished with 4 for 46 in ten overs, his best ODI statistics. After Taskin Ahmed and Mehidy Hasan Miraz got the visitors off to a solid start, Shakib Al Hasan claimed two wickets. Mohammad Mithun played a Luke Jongwe delivery away from his body, looking to cut it away but only managed to find the fielder at cover point as Bangladesh lost their third wicket in chase of Zimbabwe's 240.

Bangladesh are finding themselves in a challenging position in chase of Zimbabwe's 240 as Mohammad Mithun departed shortly after openers Tamim and Liton. With no Mushfiqur Rahim in the side, Tigers banked heavily on packing their side with all-rounders and it appears that they might need that depth again. Given the rough patch that Shakib Al Hasan has been going through with the bat, the Tigers will be hoping that the ace all-rounder can finally redeem him and help the Tigers with Zimbabwe bowlers sniffing an opportunity after the three wickets.  Tamim Iqbal was looking quite good out there in the middle in the second ODI in what was his second match since a return from a leg injury. The ODI skipper however fell to an extraordinary catch in chase of Zimbabwe's 240 as the hosts made their first breakthrough at Harare today. Liton, who was also looking solid at the other end, then fell to Richard Ngarava as Tigers saw both openers back in the hut. Tamim played some glorious shots during his 33-ball 20, often driving on the up. In the 10th over of Bangladesh's chase, he rocked back on to the back foot and cut away Luke Jongwe but Sikandar Raza at point took a superb diving catch to end his knock. Liton Das was in good touch, continuing in the same mold as his ton in the first ODI. He however completely miscued his pull shot against Richard Ngarava in the 13th over as Bangladesh were 46 for to after 13 overs in chase of 241.