Medium-fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman took five wickets to hinder Zimbabwe’s chase of 277, steering Bangladesh to a 61-run win, and thereby a 3-0 whitewash, in Mirpur. He broke the back of Zimbabwe’s top and middle order: they were eventually bowled out for 215. The victory was also built on a collective effort from Bangladesh’s batting unit, and in particular, openers Tamim Iqbal and Imrul Kayes, and No. 5 Mahmudullah.
Choosing to bat, Bangladesh began steadily via their openers, who put on 147 in 29.3 overs before parting. A short lapse in the middle of the innings had them losing four wickets for 36 runs, before a late flourish from Mahmudullah. Before being run out in the 48th over, Mahmudullah scored 52 off 40 balls, facilitated by five fours and a six.
Notwithstanding an iffy start to the chase, Zimbabwe found stability and hope in the middle-order trio of Sean Williams, Elton Chigumbura and Malcolm Waller. Mustafizur, who induced the early collapse, was a constant threat however, and he came back to polish off the tail. Chigumbura and Williams added 80 for the fourth wicket, after which Williams was joined by Waller, for 59 runs in 12.4 overs. The dismissal of Williams, for 64, in the 37th over, signalled the end of the charge. A collapse ensued; five wickets were lost with the addition of 27 runs, to end the game.
Zimbabwe will stay on for two Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is), both in Mirpur.
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