Bangladesh win dead-rubber

Bangaladesh ended their disappointing tour of Zimbabwe with a eight wicket win in the fifth ODI after already having lost the series going into the match.

Zimbabwe having an un-beatable 3-1 series lead won the toss and elected to bat first.

Terry Duffin and Vusi Sibanda made a good start to the innings before Syed Rasel found the edge of Sibanda’s bat with the score at 45 and he was on his way for 17.

Hamilton Masakadza joined Duffin and together they kept a healthy run-rate going until left-arm spinner Abdur Razzak trapped Duffin lbw for 40.

That brought Brendon Taylor to the crease and this was when Bangladesh managed to put the breaks on Zimbabwe with Bangladesh’s four spin bowlers all managing a tidy line and length.

Taylor lost his wicket in the 40th over but with seven wickets in hand and the score at 165, Zimbabwe would have expected a late charge.

It was not to be however with the final seven wickets falling for only 32 runs, leaving the tourists all out for 197 in the 50th over.

Part-timer Rajin Saleh was the pick of the bowlers taking 4-16 from 4.3 overs while Abdur Razzak, Mohammad Rafique and Saqibul Hasan all contributed well with the ball.

Bangladesh started their reply in perfect fashion with Rajin Saleh and Shahriar Nafees putting on a 99 run stand for the first wicket before Saleh was dimissed for 37.

Shahriar Nafees saw Bangladesh through to the target with a superb 118 not out from 148 balls for an eight wicket victory.

Although losing this game, Zimbabwe take the series 3-2, and prove to themselves and fans alike that they still have what it takes at international level.

Bangladesh now head for Kenya where they play three one-day internationals with the first in Nairobi on 12th August.

Zimbabwe 197
Hamilton Masakadza 75, Terry Duffin 45
Rajin Saleh 4-16, Abdur Razzak 2-24

Bangladesh won by 8 wickets

Bangladesh 201-2
Shahriar Nafees 118*, Rajin Saleh 37, Saqibul Hasan 30*
Prosper Utseya 2-31

Zimbabwe win the five match series 3-2