Shakib stars as Tigers tame Zimbabwe to wrap up series

Shakib Al Hasan came up with sensational allround performance as Bangladesh wrapped up the three-match series with a hard-fought three-wicket win over Zimbabwe in the second game on Sunday at Harare Sports Club.

Returning to the form with willow at the time emergency, the ace allrounder fashioned the victory single handedly. Shakib, who was going through a patchy batting form since his return to the International cricket following a ban imposed by ICC, struck an excellent unbeaten 96 runs knock to steer Bangladesh to win after the Tigers were in cornered state.

Thanks to his knock, Bangladesh overhauled Zimbabwe's 240-9, making 242-7 in 49.1 overs with Shakib fittingly bringing the victory with a boundary through third man. Shakib struck eight boundaries in his 109- ball 96 not out.

In addition, he also took 2-42, following his 5-30 in the first match.

Bangladesh though made a good start in pursuit of the chase, tasted a top order collapse like the first ODI and were reduced to 75-4. Zimbabwe bowlers indeed made regular intervals but Shakib kept Bangladesh in the game always.

Zimbabwe fast bowler luke Jongwe broke through with the wicket of Bangladesh ODI captain Tamim Iqbal for 20 after he and Liton Das added 39 runs in the opening stand.

Shakib then came to the crease but saw Liton, the centurion of the first match, was dismissed on 21 after getting set.

Mohammad Mithun (2) perished to a Jongwe delivery before Mosaddek Hossain Saikat was trapped run out for 5.

With 75-4, Zimbabwe, for whom it was a do or die match to keep the series alive, sensed a victory.

Shakib and Mahmudullah then shared 55-run for the fifth wicket stand to tilt the match towards Bangladesh. However Zimbabwe again came back in the match when Mahmudullah threw his wicket for 26 against a modest delivery of Blessing Muzurabani.

Like Mahmudullah, Mehidy Hasan Miraz also played a reckless shot to gift his wicket for 6 and left Bangladesh in severe trouble.

Shakib however held his nerve and snatched the victory for Bangladesh from the jaws of the defeat, accompanied by firstly Afif Hossain (15) and later Mohammad Saifuddin, who was not out on 28.

Shakib's excellent performance however put a shed on fast bowler Shoriful Islam who registered his career-best 4-46 to help Bangladesh restrict Zimbabwe in a moderate total.

Shoriful's four-for was complemented by Shakib Al Hasan's 2-42 while Taskin Ahmed, Mohammad Saifuddin and Mehidy Hasan Miraz took one wicket apiece.

Taskin gave the side a breakthrough, dismissing opener Tinashe Kamunhukamwe for 1 in the first over as Zimbabwe decided to bat first after winning the toss.

Offspinner Mehidy Hasan Miraz, who was out of the ground due to injury after bowling 7.2 overs, then reduced Zimbabwe to 33-2, getting the better of another opener Tadiwanashe Marumani.

But the resistance came from captain Brendan Taylor and Regis Chakabva who shared 47-run for the third wicket before Shakib appeared in the stage and rattled the stump of Chakabva who made 26.

Shoriful got the first of his four wickets, after Taylor, who played so serenely was dismissed bizarrely. Taylor was hit wicket after practicing the shadow of the shot as he hit the stumps unfortunately while getting the bat down.

Taylor made 46 off 57 with five fours and one six.

After Taylor's dismissal, Bangladesh looked to take the stranglehold of the match but Wessley Madhevere stitched two important partnerships, which ensured Zimbabwe would go past 200 runs mark.

He firstly added 35-run with Dion Mayers who struck a patient 34 before being dismissed by Shakib Al Hasan.

Sikandar Raza made important 30 runs and was the part of 63-run partnership with Madhevere for the sixth wicket stand.

Shoriful came back in his second spell and sparked the collapse that saw Zimbabwe losing four wickets for just 20 runs. Shoriful himself took three wickets in those four.

He started his venture, dismissing Madhevere who top-scored for the side with 56 off 63, clobbering five fours and one six. He also claimed the wicket of Luke Jongwe and Blessing Muzarabani before Saifuddin dismissed Sikandar Raza.

Source: BSS

AH