Bangladesh ease past Zimbabwe in third ODI to avoid series whitewash

HARARE: Shoriful Islam's four-wicket haul, followed by half-centuries from Tanzid Hasan and Soumya Sarkar, powered Bangladesh to a comprehensive seven-wicket victory over Zimbabwe in the third ODI here at the Harare Sports Club on Saturday.

Bangladesh captain Mehidy Hasan Miraz's decision to field first paid dividends as the touring side's bowling attack bowled out the home side for a modest 199 in 49.1 overs despite half-centuries from Wessly Madhevere and Brad Evans.

Madhevere remained the top-scorer for the Chevrons with a gutsy 75 off 74 deliveries with the help of five fours and a six, followed by Evans, who made a 43-ball 50.

Besides them, only top-order batter Innocent Kaia (25) and experienced all-rounder Sikandar Raza (11) could amass double figures against a dominant Bangladesh bowling attack, led by Shoriful, who bagged four wickets for just 44 runs in his 10 overs.

The 25-year-old pacer was supported by Taskin Ahmed and Tanvir Islam, who bagged two wickets each, while Mohammad Saifuddin chipped in with one scalp.

In response, Bangladesh made a light work of the 200-run target as they chased it down for the loss of just three wickets and 84 balls to spare, courtesy of a monumental opening partnership between Tanzid and Soumya.

The opening pair gave the visitors a flamboyant start to the pursuit by putting together a 151-run partnership, during which they both brought up their respective half-centuries.

Tanaka Chivanga eventually gave Zimbabwe a much-needed breakthrough in the 28th over by dismissing Soumya, who made an 82-ball 69 with the help of six fours and two sixes.

Tanzid then shared an important 46-run partnership for the second wicket with Najmul Hossain Shanto until falling victim to Ernest Masuku in the 35th over, agonisingly short of his well-deserved second ODI century.

He walked back after top-scoring with 94 off 101 deliveries, studded with eight fours and three sixes, which earned him the Player of the Match award.

Masuku struck again in the same over, dismissing Towhid Hridoy for a three-ball duck, but Shanto eventually steered Bangladesh to the consolation victory on the last delivery of the 36th over with an unbeaten 18-run cameo.

For Zimbabwe, Masuku bagged two wickets, while Chivanga could claim one.