Bangladesh 165 for five (Hridoy 57, Jaker 44, Muzarabani 3-14) beat Zimbabwe 156 for 9 (Akram 34*, Marumani 31, Saifuddin 3-40) by 9 runs
Akram, taking part in solely his fifth T20I, struck an unbeaten 34 off 19 balls after the guests had crashed to 91 for 8 chasing 166. The 54 runs he added with Wellington Masakadza was a brand new Zimbabwe document for the ninth wicket. Akram’s 34 was additionally Zimbabwe’s highest by a No. 10 batter.
Muzarabani, who took career-best figures of three for 14 earlier, struck two fours when Zimbabwe wanted 21 within the last over. However Saifuddin snuffed out the difficulty with some correct death-overs bowling.
Bangladesh endure for Litton’s scoops
Litton Das selected the strangest sequence of pictures to get out within the fourth over. He missed two lap scoops in opposition to Muzarabani earlier than his third successive try dragged the ball onto his stumps. It’s unclear whether or not Litton, already displaying poor type in white-ball cricket this yr, shall be in Bangladesh’s T20 World Cup squad. This innings is unlikely to assist his case.
Captain Najmul Hossain Shanto additionally received out cheaply, bowled by a little bit of variation from his reverse quantity Sikandar Raza. Shanto’s lack of footwork can be regarding for the crew. These can be long-term issues, however when Tanzid Hasan fell within the ninth over, making an attempt to slog Faraz Akram, it prompted speedy fear. Bangladesh have been hovering round a mediocre run charge, having misplaced their set batter.
Hridoy, Jaker to the rescue
The fourth-wicket pair struck a boundary of their first 3.3 overs earlier than Jaker and Hridoy took on Raza for 2 sixes within the house of three balls. The primary was a straight hit earlier than Hridoy hit a much bigger one into the mid-wicket stands.
Within the fifteenth over although, Zimbabwe handed Jaker a life when his slog-sweep off Luke Jongwe fell between Johnathan Campbell and Brian Bennett, each taking a look at one another. Hridoy deposited Masakadza for his second six within the sixteenth over earlier than reaching his maiden T20I fifty within the 18th over. Jaker slammed Jongwe for an enormous six shortly afterwards.
Hridoy’s scoop additionally related within the penultimate over as Bangladesh approached 150. Litton tried the identical shot thrice in a row, the third of which was his dismissal. It confirmed the gulf in confidence between Litton and Hridoy.
Muzarabani’s finest retains Zim in hunt
Muzarabani, nonetheless, prompted a little bit of an anti-climax when his yorker slammed into Hridoy’s leg-stump subsequent ball. It was a wonderful supply that compelled itself by Hridoy’s bat and pad as he appeared to swing the ball in direction of the leg facet.
Jaker fell one ball after Hridoy received out, as one other Muzarabani full supply slammed into his stumps. Muzarabani’s three-for stored Zimbabwe inside an honest rating. It was additionally reward for a quick bowler who’s correct even when making an attempt variations.
A well-recognized top-order collapse
For the third sport in a row, Zimbabwe misplaced their first 4 wickets for lower than 50 runs. Joylord Gumbie mistimed one to 3rd man within the third over earlier than Tanzim Hasan Sakib had Bennett caught and bowled within the fifth over. Zimbabwe’s powerplay ended with Craig Ervine falling to Saifuddin for seven.
Raza, who made 5 successive fifties since November 2023, additionally struggled to seek out type. He was caught behind by Rishad Hossain for 1 for his fifth consecutive low rating.
Akram’s shock from No. 10
Tadiwanashe Marumani fell for a 26-ball 31 earlier than Clive Madande added 11. Campbell, who struck the ball cleanly in his debut within the final match, struck Tanvir Islam for 2 consecutive sixes earlier than his try for the third in a row discovered Litton on the deep square-leg boundary.
When Jongwe fell to Rishad within the fifteenth over, defeat for the guests appeared imminent, however Akram struck Rishad for 2 sixes over midwicket later within the over, earlier than he discovered two extra fours off Saifuddin within the seventeenth over. Taskin then dropped a tough likelihood from Masakadza within the 18th over, however he returned strongly to concede simply six runs within the penultimate over.
The twentieth started with Saifuddin eradicating Masakadza first ball, however Muzarabani then slammed two consecutive fours. That introduced the goal right down to 13 in three balls, however there was no extra heroism left within the Zimbabwe tail. They fell 9 brief regardless of an admirable effort.
Mohammad Isam is ESPNcricinfo’s Bangladesh correspondent. @isam84
