Zimbabwe end Tigers winning streak

Bangladesh’s experiment with the squad this time couldn’t fetch any successful result as Zimbabwe made a turnaround with an emphatic 31-run in the third T20 International at Sheikh Abu Naser Stadium in Khulna yesterday.
The hosts brought up as many as five changes to the squad in a bid to create more options ahead of Asia Cup T20 and World T20 what proved to be expensive with Zimbabwe grabbing the opportunity with both hands. By winning the match, the Southern African nation foiled Bangladesh’s attempt to wrap up the four-match series with a game to go.
The Zimbabwe batsmen unleashed a powerful attack on inexperienced Bangladesh bowling to rack up 187 for six, their highest against Bangladesh and the bowlers thereafter chipped-in-with some good bowling to restrict Bangladesh to 156 for six. Thereby they snapped up their four-game losing-streak in T20 cricket.
Zimbabwe got off to a rapid start, thanks to stand-in captain Hamilton Masakadza and Vusi Sibanda before Shakib Al Hasan (3-32) helped Bangladesh claw back halfway through the middle. But Malcolm Waller and Sean Williams ensured they would end on a high with a 74-run partnership for the Zimbabweans.
While Sibanda went after debutant fast bowler Abu Haider, Masakadza found another debutant Mohammad Sahid particular to his liking after he opted to bat first following a delayed toss. Sibanda gave the side a momentum by plundering Haider for 18 runs in the third over, hitting three fours and a six in a row.  Masakadza came on hard Shahid to hit consecutive four boundaries before the bowler took a revenge by dismissing him.
Rain came as blessings for Bangladesh bowlers with Zimbabwe on 72 for one in seven overs.
Shakib Al Hasan helped the side claw back as the runs came in abundance.  Just after resumption of play, he picked up Richmond Mutumbami for 20 to claim his 400th international wicket.  He however made the crucial breakthrough in his next over with Sibanda falling to scoring 44, designed by six fours and a six.
Sibanda’s dismissal couldn’t stall the Zimbabwe progress with Waller taking the onus. He smashed 49 off 23, hitting four sixes and two fours and at the same time added 74-run with Sean Williams to take the side in a dominant position.
Williams who made 32 off 26, was rapped plumb in front to give Haider the maiden wicket. Haider (two for 40) however added another in the penultimate ball of the innings by dismissing Sikandar Raza with a modest full toss delivery. Bangladesh who made five changes with four player making debut, had a shaky start with Imrul Kayes, the replacement of Tamim Iqbal, being dismissed for 1.
Sabbir Rahman continued his rich vein of from and added a 67-run with Soumya Sarkar (25) to keep the side in hunt. Leg-spinner Graeme Cremer dealt a blow in Bangladesh’s aspiration by taking Sabbir, just after he reached his second half-century. Sabbir hit nine fours in his 32 ball-50.  Cremer then gave the side a giant stride towards the victory having got the better of Shakib (3). Sikandar Raza (2-7) complimented Cremer’s job by adding two more wickets and Bangladesh finally ran out of time.
Nurul Hasan remained unbeaten on 30 but couldn’t deal with the pressure when run-rate got higher alarmingly. Zimbabwe's leg-spinner Graeme Cremer returned figures three  for 18.

 

Zimbabwe end Tigers winning streak

Bangladeshs experiment with the squad this time couldnt fetch any successful result as Zimbabwe made a turnaround with an emphatic 31-run in the third T20 International at Sheikh Abu Naser Stadium in Khulna yesterday. The hosts brought up as many as five changes to the squad in a bid to create more options ahead of Asia Cup T20 and World T20 what proved to be expensive with Zimbabwe grabbing the opportunity with both hands. By winning the match, the Southern African nation foiled Bangladeshs attempt to wrap up the four-match series with a game to go. The Zimbabwe batsmen unleashed a powerful attack on inexperienced Bangladesh bowling to rack up 187 for six, their highest against Bangladesh and the bowlers thereafter chipped-in-with some good bowling to restrict Bangladesh to 156 for six. Thereby they snapped up their four-game losing-streak in T20 cricket. Zimbabwe got off to a rapid start, thanks to stand-in captain Hamilton Masakadza and Vusi Sibanda before Shakib Al Hasan (3-32) helped Bangladesh claw back halfway through the middle. But Malcolm Waller and Sean Williams ensured they would end on a high with a 74-run partnership for the Zimbabweans. While Sibanda went after debutant fast bowler Abu Haider, Masakadza found another debutant Mohammad Sahid particular to his liking after he opted to bat first following a delayed toss. Sibanda gave the side a momentum by plundering Haider for 18 runs in the third over, hitting three fours and a six in a row. Masakadza came on hard Shahid to hit consecutive four boundaries before the bowler took a revenge by dismissing him. Rain came as blessings for Bangladesh bowlers with Zimbabwe on 72 for one in seven overs. Shakib Al Hasan helped the side claw back as the runs came in abundance. Just after resumption of play, he picked up Richmond Mutumbami for 20 to claim his 400th international wicket. He however made the crucial breakthrough in his next over with Sibanda falling to scoring 44, designed by six fours and a six. Sibandas dismissal couldnt stall the Zimbabwe progress with Waller taking the onus. He smashed 49 off 23, hitting four sixes and two fours and at the same time added 74-run with Sean Williams to take the side in a dominant position. Williams who made 32 off 26, was rapped plumb in front to give Haider the maiden wicket. Haider (two for 40) however added another in the penultimate ball of the innings by dismissing Sikandar Raza with a modest full toss delivery. Bangladesh who made five changes with four player making debut, had a shaky start with Imrul Kayes, the replacement of Tamim Iqbal, being dismissed for 1. Sabbir Rahman continued his rich vein of from and added a 67-run with Soumya Sarkar (25) to keep the side in hunt. Leg-spinner Graeme Cremer dealt a blow in Bangladeshs aspiration by taking Sabbir, just after he reached his second half-century. Sabbir hit nine fours in his 32 ball-50. Cremer then gave the side a giant stride towards the victory having got the better of Shakib (3). Sikandar Raza (2-7) complimented Cremers job by adding two more wickets and Bangladesh finally ran out of time. Nurul Hasan remained unbeaten on 30 but couldnt deal with the pressure when run-rate got higher alarmingly. Zimbabwes leg-spinner Graeme Cremer returned figures three for 18.