Shoriful Islam’s four-wicket haul and disciplined spells from Taskin Ahmed and Tanvir Islam helped Bangladesh bowl Zimbabwe out for 199 in the third and final ODI at Harare Sports Club on Saturday, leaving the visitors with a 200-run target as they seek to avoid a series whitewash.
Having already lost the first two matches, Bangladesh entered the final ODI with only pride to play for. After losing the toss and being asked to field, the visitors reduced Zimbabwe to 27 for 3 early in the innings.
Shoriful struck first by bowling Ben Curran, who had scored a century in the previous match. In the seventh over, Taskin had Brian Bennett caught behind by Nurul Hasan Sohan before Shoriful removed Craig Ervine in similar fashion.
Innocent Kaia looked settled during his 25-run knock, but Taskin returned for his second spell to dismiss him in the 27th over, keeping Bangladesh firmly on top.
Although Sikandar Raza and Clive Madande failed to convert their starts, Wessly Madhevere held one end together with a composed innings. He was eventually beaten by Tanvir Islam’s turn and caught by Mehidy Hasan Miraz at cover after scoring 75, an innings that revived Zimbabwe after their early collapse.
Madhevere’s resistance gave Brad Evans the platform to launch a late counterattack. The bowling all-rounder followed up his 58 off 38 balls in the previous match with another half-century, making 50 from 43 deliveries.
Zimbabwe were struggling at 151 for 7, but Evans’ aggressive knock pushed them close to the 200-run mark before they were eventually bowled out for 199.
Shoriful finished with figures of 4 for 44 from his 10 overs, including a maiden, while Taskin and Tanvir claimed two wickets apiece. Mohammad Saifuddin picked up Zimbabwe’s final wicket by dismissing Ernest Masuku. Earlier, the right-arm medium pacer had set the tone with an impressive opening spell with the new ball.
