Bangladesh lost to Zimbabwe by six runs in the first of the two-match Twenty20 series at the Queens Sports Club ground in Bulawayo on Saturday.
Winning the toss, Zimbabwe decided to bat first and lost only five wickets to post 168 in their 20 stipulated overs on the back of Hamilton Masakadza’s 59 from 48 deliveries.
Chasing a not so difficult 169-run target, the Tigers’ were on course for a comfortable victory after a 118-run second-wicket partnership between Shakib Al Hasan and Shamsur Rahman following Tamim Iqbal’s cheap exit.
But once that stand was broken with the score on 120-1, Bangladesh dramatically collapsed losing four wickets for the addition of 10 runs.
Shakib slammed eight fours and two sixes to come up with 65 off 40 balls. Shamsur got his maiden T20 fifty from 47 deliveries. He hit seven fours and one six.
Earlier, batting first Zimbabwe lost Vusi Sibanda (1) in the very first over when he pulled a short delivery from off-spinner Shohag Gazi to debutant Sajidul Islam at square leg.
The second-wicket partnership of 74 runs between Zimbabwe skipper Brendan Taylor and Hamilton Masakadza repaired the damage.
Shakib made the breakthrough knocking down Taylor on 40 off 25 deliveries with the help of six fours and a six.
Mushfiqur Rahim stumped off Sean Williams for just six off a Mahmudullah delivery. Sikandar Raza was sent on his way by Shafiul Islam with five overs still to play.
Man of the Match Hamilton Masakadza, instrumental in getting the Zimbabweans very near to the 150-mark, eventually fell for a well-made 59 with the help of four fours and one six before being added to Shakib’s wicket tally.
The hosts finished their innings on 168-5 with Malcolm Waller (26) and Tinotenda Mutombodzi (12) unbeaten.
In reply, Bangladesh started their pursuit with Tamim walking back to the dressing having faced just two deliveries. He was bowled off a full delivery from Brian Vitori that nipped back in and skidded through to break the middle stump.
Prosper Utseya picked up both Shakib and Shamsur in the 15th over. After getting a life Shakib slogged a flighted delivery to midwicket and was caught by Waller.
Shamsur tried a slog sweep but was caught by Taylor. Both Nasir Hossain (0) and Mahmudullah (2) were run out in the very next over.
Ziaur Rahman (2) tried hitting a flighted delivery of Tinashe Panyangara over extra-cover but ended up giving a catch to Vusi Sibanda there.
The game was over once Mushfiqur Rahim (28) was removed with five balls remaining in the final over.
Shohag Gazi and Abdur Razzak could not score the necessary 10 runs. Finally they ended up on 162-8. Razzak was lbw off the last ball of the match.
The final T20 of the series is on Sunday at the same venue.
Source: bdnews24
