Streak rescues Zimbabwe... again

Middle order collapses all 'round as Heath Streak had to come to his side's aid yet again in guiding Zimbabwe home to a game and series win over Bangladesh. This after the visitors lost six wickets for 12 runs chasing just 184 for victory.

Streak then played an unbeaten 31, sharing in partnerships of 34 (with Ebrahim) and 28 not out (with Gary Brent). The Zimbabwe openers made good progress toward the target initially, adding 112 for the first wicket, with veteran Grant Flower (59) making the top score of the innings. His partner, Barney Rogers (54) also got a half-century.

The instigator of collapse at that stage was former Bangladeshi captain, Khaled Mahmud. The medium pacer claimed the wickets of Flower, Carlisle, Matsikenyeri and Taibu in the space of eight balls, with the latter three dismissed without scoring. He ended with impressive figures of 4 for 19 from his ten overs with Tareq Aziz the other successful bowler, claiming Ervine (1) then Rogers in consecutive overs. At this stage Streak set about to his rescue duties and Zimbabwe got to their target with seven and a half overs to spare.

Earlier Habibul Bashar won the toss and chose to bat first. The decision looked good initially, with Hannan Sarkar (59) and Manjural Islam Rana (63) both getting fifties in putting up a century partnership for the first wicket. They were separated at 105 and Ashraful returned to the pavilion two balls after without a run to his name. Islam and Rajin Saleh (21) held the innings together and moved onward to 153, until both were out within 2 runs of each other.

This was the beginning of the first dramatic collapse of the game and the third of the day of world cricket (the West Indies' exploits inclusive). Bangladesh lost eight wickets for 30 runs in front of their home crowd, no one breaching double figures from number IV through XI. Grant Flower proved the best of the bowlers statistically, with figures of 3 for 36, but Heath Streak (2/17) and Ray Price (2/38) also contributed well. The innings closed at 183 all out.

The ultimate victory for Zimbabwe meant a 2-1 series win in the rain shortened series, but the win did not come easy, nor did it feature an impressive showing by the Zimbabwean tourists. Mahmud won the Man of the Match award, but Heath Streak was named the best series performer.

Match Summary:

Bangladesh innings 183 ao (48.5 overs)
(Manjural Islam Rana 63 [98], Hannan Sarkar 59 [99])
(GW Flower 3/36 [10], HH Streak 2/17 [8.5], RW Price 2/38 [10])

Zimbabwe innings 185/7 (42.3 overs)
(GW Flower 59 [87], BG Rogers 54 [67], HH Streak 31* [54])
(Khaled Mahmud 4/19 [10], Tareq Aziz 2/35 [8])

Result: Zimbabwe won by 3 wickets
Series: Zimbabwe won by a 2-1 margin
Man of the Match: Khaled Mahmud
Man of the Series: Heath Streak

Posted by Liam