Bangladesh vs Zimbabwe remains evenly poised after Bangladesh defeated Zimbabwe by 34 runs in the second T20 International at Queens Sports Club on Friday.
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As a result, Bangladesh leveled the three-match series 1-1 after losing the opening match by 32 runs. The deciding match will take place at the same venue on Sunday.
Bangladesh entered the contest under pressure after losing the one-off Test and the three-match ODI series during the Zimbabwe tour.
After Zimbabwe elected to field, Bangladesh posted 186-5 with impressive half-centuries from openers Tanzid Hasan Tamim and Saif Hasan.
Tanzid scored 58 off 44 balls, while Saif contributed 55 from 45 deliveries. Their 120-run opening partnership gave Bangladesh a strong platform.
However, Zimbabwe fought back by claiming four wickets for just 15 runs. Richard Ngarava removed Tanzid and captain Towhid Hridoy in the same over.
Meanwhile, Yasir Ali and Mohammad Saifuddin revived the innings with an unbeaten 45-run partnership.
Yasir remained unbeaten on 22, while Saifuddin smashed 31 off only 10 balls. He struck four consecutive sixes in the final over to lift Bangladesh to a competitive total.
Zimbabwe struggled during the chase as Bangladesh’s bowlers applied constant pressure.
Leg-spinner Rishad Hossain delivered a match-winning spell of 4-26, the best T20I figures of his career.
In addition, Mahedi Hasan claimed 3-24, while Nahid Rana dismissed Brian Bennett during the early overs.
Zimbabwe captain Sikandar Raza launched a quick counterattack with 28 off 12 balls. However, Rishad dismissed him to halt the recovery.
Ryan Burl scored 29, and Brad Evans added 25, but Zimbabwe could only reach 152 in 19.4 overs.
Consequently, Bangladesh secured a convincing victory and kept alive its hopes of winning a series on the Zimbabwe tour.
