Tigers one step closer
Zimbabwe lifted their game a little bit but in the end they embraced the same fate as the Tigers made it 4-0 by winning the fourth ODI, which started after observing a minute's silence to mourn the untimely death of Australian batsman Phillip Hughes, of the five-match series by 21 runs at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur last night.
The visitors for the first time threatened to upset the home side for their first win of the tour through a 106-run fourth-wicket partnership between Brendan Taylor and Solomon Mire. But debuting leg-spinner Jubair Hossain interrupted just in time to break the partnership and put the brakes on Zimbabwe's scoring. The tourists were eventually restricted to 235 for 8 in their 50 overs after Bangladesh had scored a seemingly below-par 256 for 8 in their quota of 50 overs.
Unlike the previous matches, Bangladesh made a poor start under overcast conditions after deciding to bat, but still Zimbabwe failed to capitalise on those chances as the home side moved another step closer towards the expected whitewash of the southern African nation. The fifth and final match will take place at the same venue on December 1.
Mahmudullah Riyad, Mushfiqur Rahim and captain Mashrafe Bin Mortaza however deserved the kudos for their batting efforts that helped their side maintain the supremacy over the visitors. Riyad, who hit an unbeaten 82 for his highest score and his first ODI fifty in 18 months, played the anchor's role to stabilise the team twice.
Tamim Iqbal and Anamul Haque were nowhere near their hundred partnerships in the previous two matches and Imrul Kayes, who replaced Mominul Haque in the top order, probably gave the impression once again that he was not someone who could fulfil the team management's desire of taking a top-order place other than the opening slot and as a result Bangladesh were reduced to 4 for 32.
Mushfiqur joined Riyad to repair the damages to take the team into a good position by adding 134 runs for the fifth wicket after making a 78-ball 77.
After another mini collapse, Riyad added 65 in just eight overs with Mashrafe, whose 25-ball 39 boosted the team to cross the 250-mark. He smote four boundaries and two big sixes.
In reply, Hamilton Masakadza and Vusi Sibanda made a confident start associating 48 runs in 10.1 overs but left-arm spinner Shakib Al Hasan dismissed both the openers and Jubair got the wicket of Timycen Maruma as Zimbabwe tottered at 60 for three.
Taylor and Mire brought some excitement but it seemed that it was just a matter of one wicket for the hosts to bounce back and Jubair did it. Then pacer Rubel Hossain picked up two wickets to seal the deal.
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