The Tigers named an unchanged playing XI from the first ODI at Mirpur Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Dhaka Sunday, while Zimbabwe made one change, bringing in all-rounder Elton Chigumbura for middle-order batsman Craig Ervine
Dominant Bangladesh batsmen produced a commanding performance to ensure a seven-wicket victory and secure the three match ODI series by leading 2-0 over visiting Zimbabwe at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Satdium in Chittagong on Wednesday.
Chasing 247 runs, Tigers cruised past their target within 44.1 overs losing just three wickets to ensure victory.
Opening pair Liton Das and Imrul Kayes started the innings for the Tigers. Liton was judged leg before wicket in the fourth ball of the very first over. But Bangladesh reviewed it and hawk-eye showed it missing leg stump. So the decision was overturned and later Bangladesh made a flying start.
Liton and Imrul played with ease and scored runs all over the park. The duo scored 148 runs in their opening stand within 24 overs. Liton was aggressive particularly compared to Imrul as the right hander scored 83 off just 77 balls before losing his wicket to off-spinner Sikandar Raza. Liton struck twelve fours and one six during his enterprising innings.
Newcomer Fazley Mahmud came to bat in at number three and again lost his wicket without scoring a run. He played only five deliveries before being stumped on Raza’s off-spin. The score was 152 then.
Imrul carried his innings nicely on the other end, reaching towards back-to-back hundreds. But the left-hander missed the chance to score successive hundreds as he charged down the ground in 38th over to clear the fence but could not connect properly, getting caught at long-off. Imrul scored 90 off 111 deliveries with seven fours and one six.
Raza took all three wickets for Zimababwe conceding 43 runs in his ten overs.
Muhfiqur Rahim was unbeaten with 40 runs off 52 balls with two fours and one six when Bangladesh reached their target. Mohammad Mithun was the other not out batsman with 24 runs off 21 balls.
Earlier, Bangladesh captain Mashrafe bin Mortaza won the toss and elected to field first. Bangladesh fielded an unchanged playing eleven for the second ODI while Zimbabwe made one change from first ODI. All-rounder Elton Chigumbura came in replacing Craig Ervine.
Zimbabwe lost their captain Hamilton Masakadza during fifth ball of fifth over. Saifuddin made the breakthrough for Bangladesh. Zimbabwe’s number three batsman Brendan Taylor then made a 52-run partnership with Cephas Zhuawao and then a 77-run partnership with Sean Williams.
Zimbabwe were cruising nicely in the middle period as at one stage they were 157 for 2 after 29 overs. Off-spinner Mahmudullah then took the important of wicket of Taylor in the third ball of 30th over to halt Zimbabwe. Taylor tried to reverse sweep but missed the line completely and was trapped in front. Taylor departed with 75 runs on his tally from 73 balls with nine fours and one six.
Zimbabwe lost momentum after Taylor’s dismissal as they lost key wickets in crucial moments during the latter part of the innings. Willams scored 47 and Raza scored 49 in the end but Bangladesh bowled well in the death overs to restrict Zimbabwe to 246 losing seven wickets in their stipulated 50 overs.
Saifuddin took three wickets for Bangladesh conceding 45 runs and was later adjudged man-of-the-match.
The third and final ODI will be played in the same venue on Friday at 2:30 pm local time.
Source: Dhaka Tribune.