ASHLEY DUBE
HARARE – Zimbabwe clinched the One Day International (ODI) series against Bangladesh with a game to spare, holding their nerve for a thrilling 13-run victory in the second ODI at Harare Sports Club on Thursday.
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| Image: Zimbabwe Cricket |
Asked to bat first once again, the Chevrons recovered from an early wobble to post 247 for six, thanks to a magnificent unbeaten century from Ben Curran and a devastating late assault by Brad Evans.
Curran anchored the innings with a composed 111 not out from 135 deliveries after Zimbabwe had slumped to 32 for three. His innings was built on patience and precision, becoming only the second Zimbabwean after Grant Flower to carry his bat through a completed ODI innings.
Sikandar Raza provided valuable support with 33 from 53 balls in a crucial 68-run fourth-wicket stand before Evans changed the complexion of the innings. Batting at No. 8, Evans blasted an unbeaten 58 off just 38 balls, smashing five sixes, including three in the final over, as Zimbabwe added 99 runs for the seventh wicket to lift the total beyond 240.
Zimbabwe's pace attack then delivered under pressure. Richard Ngarava claimed three wickets, while Blessing Muzarabani and Evans picked up two apiece as the Chevrons restricted Bangladesh to hand themselves an unassailable series lead.
Bangladesh's chase was led by Tanzid Hasan and Towhid Hridoy, who scored a patient 60 from 90 balls, Nurul Hasan’s rapid 38 kept the required rate within reach deep into the innings. But Zimbabwe’s bowlers, led by Richard Ngarava’s 3 for 55, chipped away at regular intervals, and despite the effort, Bangladesh fell agonisingly short, bowled out for 234 in 48.1 overs.
The result hands Zimbabwe an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series, much to the delight of the famous Castle corner whose soundtrack lit up Harare night. The two sides will meet on Saturday for the last one day international before the T20I series in Bulawayo.
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