Opener Tanzid Hasan Tamim struck a scintillating 94 as Bangladesh cruised to a seven-wicket victory over Zimbabwe in the third and final ODI at the Harare Sports Club today, avoiding a series sweep after losing the opening two matches.
Much-Needed Victory
The convincing win also ended Bangladesh's winless run on the Zimbabwe tour, following an innings and 85-run defeat in the one-off Test and successive losses in the first two ODIs. After bowling Zimbabwe out for 199, Bangladesh reached 200-3 in just 36 overs for the much-needed victory, with 84 deliveries to spare.
Strong Opening Stand
Tanzid laid the foundation with a dominant opening stand of 151 runs alongside Soumya Sarkar, who contributed 69 off 82 balls, hitting six fours and two sixes. Zimbabwe finally broke the partnership when Tanaka Chivanga, one of three changes to the home side, clean-bowled Soumya.
Tanzid's Near-Century
Tanzid looked destined for his second ODI century but fell heartbreakingly short after Ernest Masuku dismissed him for 94 off 101 balls. His innings featured eight fours and three sixes, and during the knock he reached 1,000 ODI runs.
Zimbabwe's Innings
Pacer Shoriful Islam earlier returned figures of 4-44 earlier to help Bangladesh bundle out Zimbabwe in what was a chase-able total despite the condition heavily favoured the seam bowlers. Wessly Madhevere top-scored with a fluent 75 off 74 balls, while Brad Evans struck a brisk 50 from 43 deliveries to record his second successive half-century of the series.
What's Next
Despite the defeat, Zimbabwe secured the three-match ODI series 2-1. The two teams will next face off in a three-match T20 International series, beginning on July 15 in Bulawayo.
