Bangladesh levelled the three match T20I series against Zimbabwe with a 34 run win in the second game at Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo on Friday after their bowlers dismissed the hosts for 152 in 19.4 overs.
Rishad Hossain starred with the ball and claimed career best figures of 4 for 26. Mahedi Hasan gave him fine support with 3 for 24 as Bangladesh tied the series at 1-1 ahead of the decider on July 19.
Zimbabwe never recovered after losing early wickets. Mahedi removed Tadiwanashe Marumani in the first over before Nahid Rana bowled Brian Bennett. Mahedi then cleaned up Dion Myers to leave the hosts struggling at 21 for 3.
Captain Sikandar Raza tried to change the game with a quick 28 off 12 balls. He shared a brief stand with Milton Shumba before Rishad dismissed both batters in quick time. Raza edged behind to Nurul Hasan, while Shumba was bowled.
Mahedi returned to remove Clive Madande as Zimbabwe slipped further behind. Ryan Burl fought back with 29 from 19 balls, but Rishad ended his innings. Saif Hassan also chipped in with the wicket of Tashinga Musekiwa.
Brad Evans made 25 from 14 balls in the closing stages, but Mohammad Saifuddin fooled him with a slower ball. Parvez Hossain Emon completed a good running catch in the deep. Rishad then finished the innings by dismissing Blessing Muzarabani for a duck.
Earlier, Bangladesh posted 186 for 5 after a strong start and a powerful finish.
Openers Tanzid Hasan Tamim and Saif Hassan added 120 runs for the first wicket. It was Bangladesh’s highest opening stand against Zimbabwe in T20Is and their second highest opening partnership overall in the format.
Tanzid made 58 from 44 balls. Saif scored 55 from 45 balls despite being dropped five times. Bangladesh reached 54 without loss in the powerplay, their best start since the 2025 Asia Cup.
Zimbabwe hit back through Richard Ngarava, who removed Tanzid and captain Towhid Hridoy in the same over. Brad Evans then dismissed Parvez Hossain Emon and Nurul Hasan as Bangladesh slipped from 120 without loss to 141 for 5.
Yasir Ali and Mohammad Saifuddin turned the innings around in the final overs. They shared an unbeaten stand of 45 from only 19 balls.
Saifuddin smashed 31 not out from just 10 balls. He hit four straight sixes off Evans in the final over, which cost 28 runs. Yasir stayed unbeaten on 22 from 12 balls.
Ngarava was Zimbabwe’s best bowler with 2 for 23. Evans also took two wickets but gave away 65 runs.
The series is now level at 1-1, with the final match set to be played at the same venue on Sunday.
