Bangladesh suffer 1st ever T20 series defeat against Zimbabwe

GBNEWS24DESK//

Zimbabwe came up with a spirited performance and held their nerve at the crucial moment to cruise to a 10-run victory against Bangladesh in the series deciding third T20 International game on Tuesday at Harare Sports Club.

By virtue of this victory, the hosts eventually took the three-match series 2-1. They won the first game by 17 runs before Bangladesh hit back with a seven-wicket victory in the second game. By doing so, Zimbabwe won their first ever bilateral T20 series (series involving more than one game) against Bangladesh.

Thanks to Ryan Burl’s 28 ball-54, Zimbabwe recovered from 67-6 to put up a fighting 156-8, which later their bowlers defended well, restricting Bangladesh to 146-8.

Burl’s 54-run knock included a 34-run over, bowled by Nasum Ahmed, which eventually made the ultimate difference. But Bangladeshi batters’ mindless batting also dug their own graveyards. Bangladesh’s performance in this series once again proved they are yet to learn the art of T20 cricket.

Nevertheless credit should go for Burl, who didn’t give up hopes despite the side’s top order collapse. He was ably supported by Luke Jongwe who struck 35 off 20 as the duo shared a 79-run partnership off just 31 balls for the seventh wickets to stun Bangladeshi bowlers.

But to Bangladesh’s delight, fast bowler Hasan Mahmud dismissed both of them in the penultimate over to leave Zimbabwe at least 15 runs short from their desired position. But that mattered little at the end.

Hasan Mahmud ended with 2-28. Off spinner Mahedi Hasan also had same figure (2-28) and was key in ripping through Zimbabwe top order.

Bijoy scored just 13 ball-14, Shanto made 16 off 20 while Mahmudullah Riyad contributed run-a-ball-27.

Afif Hossain was the top-scorer for the side with 39 off 27 while Mahedi Hasan hit 22 off 17. The duo are reason that Bangladesh could come close and needed 26 runs in the last two overs. However, they failed to score the required runs.

Victor Nyauchi was the most successful bowler for Zimbabwe with 3-29 while Bard Evans who took the game away from Bangladesh, removing Mahmudullah and Mosaddek Hossain for naught in consecutive deliveries took 2-26.

The two teams now will play a three-match ODI series, with the first match starting on Friday.