Ben Curran joins elusive list of Zimbabwe batters with unbeaten century against Bangladesh

HARARE: Left-handed opener Ben Curran has etched his name into the history books by scoring an unbeaten century in the second ODI against Bangladesh, underway here at the Harare Sports Complex on Thursday.

Curran, who opened the home side's innings alongside Brian Bennett, carried his bat all the way through and returned after top-scoring with an unbeaten 111 off 135 deliveries, studded with nine fours.

As a result, the 30-year-old became only the 10th Zimbabwean opener to bat through the 50 overs in a men's ODI, joining the likes of Flower brothers – Andy and Grant – as well as Brendan Taylor and Hamilton Masakadza.

His opening partner Bennett, who fell for a five-ball duck in the ongoing fixture, has also achieved the feat when he carried the bat all the way through against Ireland last year.

Zimbabwe openers to fifty overs in men's ODIs

• Andy Flower against Sri Lanka – 1992

• Grant Flower against England – 1994

• Neil Johnson against Australia – 1999

• Alistair Campbell against India – 2000

• Craig Wishart against Namibia – 2003

• Hamilton Masakadza against Kenya – 2009

• Brendan Taylor against South Africa – 2010

• Brian Bennett against Ireland – 2025

• Ben Curran against Bangladesh – 2026

Curran's marathon helped the home side pile up a formidable total of 247/6 in their 50 overs as they aim to secure an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series, having already won the opening fixture by 25 runs.

The left-handed opener was supported by all-rounder Brad Evans, who contributed with an unbeaten 58 off 38 deliveries, laced with five sixes and two fours, while Sikandar Raza chipped in with a cautious 33 off 53 deliveries with the help of four fours.