Bangladesh secured yet another convincing victory against Zimbabwe in the final T20I match at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur on Wednesday. Tigers won the match by 9 wickets and whitewashed Zimbabwe in the two-match T20I series.
First their bowler did well to restrict Zimbabwe to 119 despite an unbeaten 59 from Brendan Taylor. Then, Liton Das continued his good form to score 60 not out off 45 and along with Soumya Sarkar took Bangladesh home in just 15.5 overs.
Chasing a modest total of 120, Bangladesh started off brilliantly, through in form batsman Liton Das and Mohmmad Naim. They both gave Bangladesh a flying start with the bat. Together they had a 77-run partnership before Naim departed after scoring 33. Bangladesh were at 77/1 after 10.4 overs. However, later Liton and Soumya finished off the job with ease.
After winning the toss, Bangladesh skipper Mahmudullah Riyad elected to bowl first. Tigers rested Tamim Iqbal, Aminul Islam and Shafiul Islam for the penultimate T20I with Al Amin, Mohammad Naim and Hasan Mahmud replacing them respectively.
Bangladesh started well with the bowl, as Al Amin removed Kamunhukamwe within the third over. From there two of Zimbabwe’s crucial batsmen Brendan Taylor and Craig Ervine batted really well. Together they put on a 57-run partnership for the second wicket stand and were looking dangerous. However, they could not prolong their partnership as Afif Hossain dismissed Ervine, leaving Zimbabwe at 69/2 after 11.1 overs.
From there it went all downhill for the Zimbabweans. Taylor was the lone fighter for the Zimbabweans as he stayed till the end and played a crucial unbeaten knock of 48-ball 59. Bangladesh completed a thoroughly disciplined effort in the field. All of Tigers’ bowlers performed their roles with aplomb, picked up wickets in regular intervals. Mustafizur Rahman and Al Amin scalped two wickets each.
