Zimbabwe level T20 series
Bangladesh's wayward and inconsistent performance in all three departments led to a 23-run defeat for the visitors in the second T20I as the hosts Zimbabwe made a comeback to level the three-match T20I series in Harare yesterday.
Young debutant Shamim Hossain's 29-run cameo from 13 balls made things somewhat interesting in the latter stage of the match but eventually, the Tigers were bundled out for 143 runs in 19.5 overs while chasing a target of 167 runs.
Shamim arrived at the crease in the 12th over when Bangladesh was struggling at 73 for six, needing another 94 runs from the last eight overs. The left-hander started off with a couple of sixes with the slog sweep and then struck a six and two fours to Wessley Madhevere, taking sixteen runs in his over, to bring down the equation to 58 off the last five overs.
However, the quick fire from the 20-year-old came to an end in the very next over, when he was caught at long-on while trying to go for another six to pacer Luke Jongwe, as things went bad to worse for the Tigers.
Earlier in the chase, Pacer Blessing Muzarabani dismissed both the openers early, who scored fifty in the first game. Mohammad Naim was bowled on five after his attempted cut led to an inside-edge, while just three balls later Soumya Sarkar handed a catch at extra-cover on eight.
From then on, the left-arm spinner Wellington Masakadza spun the visitors into further trouble. He first dismissed Shakib Al Hasan, who was caught at covers on twelve, followed by skipper Mahmudullah Riyad and Mahedi Hasan who threw their wickets while going for the big shots.
Bangladesh batters never looked composed enough at any point and yet they kept going hard at the Zimbabwean bowlers and ended up losing wickets at regular intervals. Afif Hossain's 24 remained the second-highest score for the Tigers.
During the first innings, a below-average show from Bangladesh's fielding department had helped the hosts to gain the upper hand. The visitors dropped a few easy chances and also missed out on a couple of run-out opportunities.
Madhevere, who was dropped on 44 by Mahmudullah at cover on Shakib's bowling, top-scored with 73 off 53 balls. Left-hander Ryan Burl struck few lusty blows in the end and remained unbeaten on 34 off 19 balls as Zimbabwe added 54 runs in the last five overs of their innings.
Left-arm seamer Shoriful Islam picked up three wickets conceding 33 runs from his four overs while Shakib and Mahedi scalped a wicket each for the Tigers.
The third and the final series-deciding T20 match is scheduled to take place tomorrow.
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