Zimbabwe claim dramatic win over Bangladesh

Returning from a six year absence, Zimbabwe add a one-day series win to their one-off Test victory over Bangladesh.

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Zimbabwe team-mates Craig Ervine, Vusimuzi Sibanda and Hamilton Masakadza celebrate victory [AFP] 

Zimbabwe won their first one-day series over a major cricket nation in five years on Tuesday, holding off a brilliant fightback by Bangladesh wicketkeeper-batsman Mushfiqur Rahim for a dramatic five-run win at Harare Sports Club.

Mushfiqur’s 101 from 100 balls was not enough as he fell in the last over to leave Bangladesh 245 all out and give Zimbabwe victory in the third ODI.

The home team had posted 250-7 and secured the five-match series with an unassailable 3-0 lead.

It is Zimbabwe’s first ODI series win over a Test nation since they beat Bangladesh at home in August 2006.

Mushfiqur had dragged Bangladesh to the brink of victory with his first international century, but needing six off five balls, he holed out to Vusi Sibanda at long-on off seamer Chris Mpofu.

The win is the rejuvenated Zimbabwe team’s second major milestone of the tour after it won the one-off Test between the countries for a winning return to the five-day format following a six-year absence.

Spinning to victory

Zimbabwe off-spinner Prosper Utseya led the home team’s bowling in the third one-dayer with 3-47, Mpofu finished with 2-43 and Kyle Jarvis had 2-52, which included two wickets in the second-last over.

Earlier, Tatenda Taibu (83) and Hamilton Masakadza (74) had made half-centuries in a 142-run partnership to help Zimbabwe post 250.

Seamer Rubel Hossain took 2-41 and Bangladesh skipper Shakib Al Hasan 2-46 but the visitors dropped five catches, including Taibu three times, after putting Zimbabwe in to bat.

Utseya then made early breakthroughs, taking two sharp caught and bowled chances, to help reduce Bangladesh to 124-4 and put Zimbabwe in control.

But needing 83 off the last 10 overs, Mushfiqur accelerated and almost stole a stunning victory for the visitors – who are yet to win a game on the tour.

The right-hander hit eight fours and a six in his superb counter attack, aided by Shuvagoto Hom (32) on his international debut and a quickfire 14 from Mahmudullah.

Mushfiqur launched Jarvis over the midwicket boundary for his maximum in the penultimate over to take the equation to nine runs needed off eight balls.

He then scrambled two off the first delivery of the last over to reach his maiden century, but attempted another big hit down the ground next ball and was caught by Sibanda running in off the boundary.

Source: AP