Bangladesh has managed to tie the five-game ODI series with Zimbabwe by beating them convincingly by seven wickets and with more than 20 overs to spare. The series score now is 1-1 with three more to play.
The Zimbabwean side won the toss and decided to bat first on a flat looking track. Prosper Utseya, their skipper, had been ruled out of the game with an injury and hence Hamilton Masakadza was the captain of the side. Zimbabwe started their innings well as the opening pair of Masakadza and Chamu Chibhabha added 59 runs in less than 11 overs, but once they were separated, the Zimbabwean innings fell apart.
Except for Malcom Waller (40) down the order, and Tatenda Taibu who scored 38, none of the others did much to shake the bowling off their line and length. Abdur Razzaq scalped five wickets, to go with the three wickets that he had in the first game.
In reply, the Bangladeshis seemed to be in a hurry. The first wicket added 44 runs in 3.4 overs, and despite been 56/3 in six overs, they went on to easily win the game. Shakib al Hasan, their stand in captain in place of Mashrafe Mortaza smashed a 69-ball 105, which had 15 boundaries and three sixes to guide the side to a resounding win over the tourists.
Razzaq’s five wicket haul won him the man of the match.