Tigers seal series against Zim in a thriller

Tamim Iqbal’s 158 powered Bangladesh to secure the series when they beat Zimbabwe by four runs in the last-ball thriller of the second fixture in the three-match ODI series, at the picturesque Sylhet International Cricket Stadium yesterday. Chasing a staggering 322 runs, Zimbabwe lost opener Regis Chakabva cheaply. Tinashe Kamunhukamwe attempted to repair the innings with Brendan Taylor, but the latter was run out by Mehidy Hasan Miraj, who later was accountable for stand-in captain Sean Williams.

Kamunhukamwe passed the 100-run mark with Wesley Madhevere for the fourth-wicket stand, before Taijul Islam broke the stand while they were tottering at 102/4. Kamunhukamwe whipped a 70-ball 51, laced with five fours and two sixes.

Madhevere, in association with Sikandar Raza, kept local

bowlers in check and pulled together a gritty 81 for the fifth wicket. They laid the foundation of the chase. Taijul Islam broke the stand when he trapped Madhevere leg-before wicket.  Madhevere also struck a half century. His well-groomed 57-ball 52 contained five boundaries.

Raza then built a couple of partnerships, including 30 six-wicket with Richmond Mutumbami, that kept them on track. Mashrafe removed Sikandar Raza when they were on 225. Raza hit two sixes and five fours in his 57-ball 66.

Tinotenda Mutombodzi and Donald Tiripano showed their don’t-care approach and launched their ruthless aggression on local bowlers that reduced the huge margin. The duo stuck together for a plucky 80 for the eighth-wicket stand, which posed a great threat to overhaul the challenging target.

The visitors needed just 20 runs from the penultimate over, when pacer Al Amin eliminated Mutombodzi, who made a 21-ball 34 with five fours, in the second ball. Tiripano narrowed the margin from 20 to six runs after striking two successive sixes following a single and a wide.

Tiripano could only manage a single from the next two balls and so the visitors fell short by four runs and missed a fairytale ending. Donald Tiripano remained unbeaten on 55 from 28 balls, with five sixes and two fours.

Tamim Iqbal was named player of the match for his spell-binding batting display.  

Earlier, Bangladesh compiled their highest ODI total of 322-8 against visiting Zimbabwe on the back of Tamim Iqbal’s record-breaking 158.

Bangladesh, led by Mashrafe Bin Mortaza, once again won the toss and decided to bat first on Sylhet's new-look deck, where Tamim Iqbal anchored the innings that set the pace for a good bit right at the end for the team.

Tamim started well with Liton Kumar Das, but the latter was run out in a bizarre manner—Tamim's drive was deflected off Mumba’s hand and the ball hit the stumps. Liton was caught short of the crease.

Just three overs later, Nazmul Hossain Shanto was also run out and Bangladesh slumped to 65-2 from 38-1. Shanto tucked Madhevere’s delivery to short fine leg and never wanted the run, but there was a mix-up in the middle when Tamim ran for a single and he did not set off from the other end.

In the wake of criticism for slow-pace batting approach, Tamim’s explosive batting in powerplay geared up Bangladesh to put on 65 for two in a fast clip inside 10 overs.

Mushfiqur Rahim joined Tamim and launched his ruthless attack on Zimbabwe bowlers with his trademark sweep, reverse sweep, and scoop shots. The duo forged a valuable 87 for the third-wicket stand on way to his 38th half-century in ODI but the eighth against Zimbabwe.

Mushfiq brought up his 50 from 42 balls when he flicked off his legs just behind square for a single. The way he was cruising he had chances to get a hundred before Tamim. But he did not move forward so far after his half-century. After hitting a boundary, he once again charged out to Madhevere, aiming for the stands, but did not get the connection he was looking for. The ball was pouched by Mutombodzi just inside the long-on boundary.

Mushfiq blasted 55 off 50, clobbering half-a-dozen boundaries.  

By then, Tamim hit a priceless 106 with Mahmudullah Riyad for the fourth-wicket partnership that brightened the prospect of yet another whopping total. Tamim notched up his century in an emphatic way after 23 innings when he slammed Carl Mumba for four over short fine-leg.

Tamim became more aggressive than Mahmudullah bowlers as the duo lambasted Tinotenda Mutombobzi and scored 24 runs from one of his overs. Tamim hit a couple of sixes and fours each.

Riyad fell nine runs short of his half century when Madhevere comfortably palmed his intended hook. At that time, Bangladesh were on 258 for four in 42.4 overs.

Together with Mohamamd Mithun, Tamim added 34 runs that placed them near 300. He clouted a record of 20 boundaries, alongside three sixes, in his 136-ball 158.

Tigers seal series against Zim in a thriller

Tamim Iqbals 158 powered Bangladesh to secure the series when they beat Zimbabwe by four runs in the last-ball thriller of the second fixture in the three-match ODI series, at the picturesque Sylhet International Cricket Stadium yesterday. Chasing a staggering 322 runs, Zimbabwe lost opener Regis Chakabva cheaply. Tinashe Kamunhukamwe attempted to repair the innings with Brendan Taylor, but the latter was run out by Mehidy Hasan Miraj, who later was accountable for stand-in captain Sean Williams. Kamunhukamwe passed the 100-run mark with Wesley Madhevere for the fourth-wicket stand, before Taijul Islam broke the stand while they were tottering at 102/4. Kamunhukamwe whipped a 70-ball 51, laced with five fours and two sixes. Madhevere, in association with Sikandar Raza, kept local bowlers in check and pulled together a gritty 81 for the fifth wicket. They laid the foundation of the chase. Taijul Islam broke the stand when he trapped Madhevere leg-before wicket. Madhevere also struck a half century. His well-groomed 57-ball 52 contained five boundaries. Raza then built a couple of partnerships, including 30 six-wicket with Richmond Mutumbami, that kept them on track. Mashrafe removed Sikandar Raza when they were on 225. Raza hit two sixes and five fours in his 57-ball 66. Tinotenda Mutombodzi and Donald Tiripano showed their dont-care approach and launched their ruthless aggression on local bowlers that reduced the huge margin. The duo stuck together for a plucky 80 for the eighth-wicket stand, which posed a great threat to overhaul the challenging target. The visitors needed just 20 runs from the penultimate over, when pacer Al Amin eliminated Mutombodzi, who made a 21-ball 34 with five fours, in the second ball. Tiripano narrowed the margin from 20 to six runs after striking two successive sixes following a single and a wide. Tiripano could only manage a single from the next two balls and so the visitors fell short by four runs and missed a fairytale ending. Donald Tiripano remained unbeaten on 55 from 28 balls, with five sixes and two fours. Tamim Iqbal was named player of the match for his spell-binding batting display. Earlier, Bangladesh compiled their highest ODI total of 322-8 against visiting Zimbabwe on the back of Tamim Iqbals record-breaking 158. Bangladesh, led by Mashrafe Bin Mortaza, once again won the toss and decided to bat first on Sylhets new-look deck, where Tamim Iqbal anchored the innings that set the pace for a good bit right at the end for the team. Tamim started well with Liton Kumar Das, but the latter was run out in a bizarre mannerTamims drive was deflected off Mumbas hand and the ball hit the stumps. Liton was caught short of the crease. Just three overs later, Nazmul Hossain Shanto was also run out and Bangladesh slumped to 65-2 from 38-1. Shanto tucked Madheveres delivery to short fine leg and never wanted the run, but there was a mix-up in the middle when Tamim ran for a single and he did not set off from the other end. In the wake of criticism for slow-pace batting approach, Tamims explosive batting in powerplay geared up Bangladesh to put on 65 for two in a fast clip inside 10 overs. Mushfiqur Rahim joined Tamim and launched his ruthless attack on Zimbabwe bowlers with his trademark sweep, reverse sweep, and scoop shots. The duo forged a valuable 87 for the third-wicket stand on way to his 38th half-century in ODI but the eighth against Zimbabwe. Mushfiq brought up his 50 from 42 balls when he flicked off his legs just behind square for a single. The way he was cruising he had chances to get a hundred before Tamim. But he did not move forward so far after his half-century. After hitting a boundary, he once again charged out to Madhevere, aiming for the stands, but did not get the connection he was looking for. The ball was pouched by Mutombodzi just inside the long-on boundary. Mushfiq blasted 55 off 50, clobbering half-a-dozen boundaries. By then, Tamim hit a priceless 106 with Mahmudullah Riyad for the fourth-wicket partnership that brightened the prospect of yet another whopping total. Tamim notched up his century in an emphatic way after 23 innings when he slammed Carl Mumba for four over short fine-leg. Tamim became more aggressive than Mahmudullah bowlers as the duo lambasted Tinotenda Mutombobzi and scored 24 runs from one of his overs. Tamim hit a couple of sixes and fours each. Riyad fell nine runs short of his half century when Madhevere comfortably palmed his intended hook. At that time, Bangladesh were on 258 for four in 42.4 overs. Together with Mohamamd Mithun, Tamim added 34 runs that placed them near 300. He clouted a record of 20 boundaries, alongside three sixes, in his 136-ball 158.