Bangladesh thump Zimbabwe in second T20I to level series

BULAWAYO: Half-centuries from openers Saif Hassan and Tanzid Hasan, followed by Rishad Hossain's four-wicket haul, propelled Bangladesh to a comprehensive 34-run victory over Zimbabwe in the second T20I of the three-match series here at the Queens Sports Club on Friday.

The victory helped Bangladesh level the three-match series 1-1 as the home side won the opening fixture by 32 runs at the same venue, which will also host the decider on Sunday.

Zimbabwe captain Sikandar Raza's decision to field first in the recently concluded fixture backfired as the visitors piled up a formidable total of 186/5 in their 20 overs, courtesy of the monumental opening partnership.

Saif and Tanzid laid a solid foundation for a defendable total by registering a 120-run partnership, which saw both Bangladesh openers bring up their respective half-centuries.

Zimbabwe captain Raza eventually broke the partnership in the 15th over by dismissing Saif, who made a 45-ball 55 with the help of eight fours and a six, while Tanzid followed suit in the next over and walked back after top-scoring with 58 off 44 deliveries, studded with six fours and two sixes.

Bangladesh then lost three more wickets in quick succession as their captain Towhid Hridoy (six), Parvez Hossain Emon (one) and Nurul Hasan (four) perished cheaply, resulting in them slipping to 141/5 in 16.5 overs.

Following the triple setback, bowling all-rounder Mohammad Saifuddin joined middle-order batter Yasir Ali in the middle, and the duo neutralised Zimbabwe's comeback with the ball by adding 45 runs to Bangladesh's total for the remaining 19 deliveries.

Saifuddin was the core aggressor of the crucial partnership as he contributed with an unbeaten 31 off 10 deliveries, smashing four sixes, while Yasir remained not out for a 12-ball 22.

For Zimbabwe, Brad Evans and Ngarava bagged two wickets each, while skipper Raza made one scalp.

Set to chase a daunting 187-run target, the home side's batting unit could muster 152 before getting bowled out in 19.4 overs.

All-rounder Ryan Burl remained the top-scorer for the Chevrons with a spirited 29 off 19 deliveries, followed by captain Raza with 28, while Evans was the other notable run-getter with a 14-ball 25.

Leg-break bowler Hossain spearheaded Bangladesh's bowling charge with four wickets for just 26 runs in his 3.4 overs, followed by Mahedi Hasan with three, while Nahid Rana, Saif Hassan and Saifuddin chipped in with one scalp apiece.

For his blistering 31-run cameo and decent bowling figures of 1/36 in his four overs, Saifuddin was adjudged the Player of the Match.