Zimbabwe clinch first ODI series against Tigers since 2013
Sikandar Raza's second ton in consecutive matches and skipper Regis Chakabva's 75-ball 102, saw Zimbabwe clinch the second ODI by five wickets to clinch their first ODI series against Bangladesh since 2013.
Raza came in when the team were in trouble at 49 for four in 15 overs and stitched together a 201-run partnership with Chakabva. Both Raza and Chakabva reached their tons before the latter departed to Mehedi Hasan Miraz in the 44th over.
Needing 33 off the last five overs, Tony Munyonga, who made his ODI debut, took Shoriful Islam to the cleaners in the 47th over with two sixes and a four before the hosts reached the target with 15 deliveries and five wickets to spare. Raza, who struck an unbeaten 135 in the first ODI, continued in the same vein during the second ODI, hitting an unbeaten 117 off 127 deliveries as Zimbabwe chased down Bangladesh's 290 for 9.
Raza gets lifeline after fielding mishap as Zim fight back
Sikandar Raza survived a run-out opportunity to reach his fifty as Zimbabwe reached 157 for four in 28 overs in chase of Bangladesh's 291 during the second ODI at Harare today.
The incident happened in the 26th over when Raza got on his knees to play the ball behind stumps. Regis Chakabva at the non-striker's end stormed to the other end but Raza, slow to get off the mark, was well short of the crease as the ball went to bowler Mehedi Hasan Miraz at the danger end. Miraz however had the ball in his wrong hand when he broke the stumps as Raza got a reprieve. Instead of taking off the stumps with his right-hand, Miraz's left hand dislodged the stumps first leading to the third-umpire giving Raza not out.
Raza whacked Mehedi over long off for six to bring up his fifty. Chakabva raced to his fifty after the mishap and put away Taskin Ahmed for four boundaries on the trot in the 30th over to change the complexion of the match during an unbeaten 38-ball 58 while Raza is unbeaten on 58 off 75 deliveries. The 108-run fifth-wicket stand between Raza and Chakbva means Zimbabwe need another 134 runs in the last 20 overs.
Raza in early as Zimbabwe repeat top order hiccup
Newcomer pacer Hasan Mahmud has led Bangladesh's defence of 291 by removing two Zimbabwean top order batters in his first two overs, including last match's centurion Innocent Kaia, in the second ODI of the three-match series in Harare today.
The home side, who won the last match by chasing 304 from a precarious 62 for three, is repeating a familiar script.
Zimbabwe are 47 for three after 14 overs, needing a further 244 from 36 overs, after Mehedi Hasan Miraz joined in the act to trap Wessly Madhevere (2) in front.
Sikandar Raza, player-of-the-match in the first ODI, is approaching double figures, having joined opener Tadiwanashe Marumani in the middle.
Hasan Mahmud, who made the cut into the playing by replacing injured Mustafizur Rahman, opened the bowling for the Tigers and struck gold in the third delivery, one that should please Tigers bowling coach Allan Donald. It was an outswinger which got Kaitano (first-ball duck) to nick to the keeper after pitching outside the off stump.
The next over, the innings' third, Hasan had in-form Kaia (7) out in a similar fashion, however the delivery did not bounce as high as it did during the last dismissal.
Mushfiqur Rahim, who donned the wicket-keeping gloves after a long time, made no mistake again.