5th T20I
Brian Bennett and Sikandar Raza has secured a consolation victory for Zimbabwe in the 5th T20I of the series
They won by eight wickets in the 5th T20I, reducing the series defeat margin to 4-1.
Bangladesh scored 157/6 in 20 overs, where as Zimbabwe scored 158/2 in 18.3 overs.
So, finally Zimbabwe beat Bangladesh by 8 wickets.
Brian Bennett’s all-round performance and Sikandar Raza’s unbeaten 72 helped Zimbabwe secure a consolation win in the T20I series against Bangladesh.
The visitors won by eight wickets in the 5th T20I, reducing the series defeat margin to 4-1.
Bennett dominated both powerplays, striking a breezy 70 in the chase after taking two wickets in Bangladesh’s powerplay, finishing with 2-20.
Raza sealed the game with his first half-century of the tour after four low scores.
Mahmudullah’s 54 kept Bangladesh in contention after they slipped to 15 for 3.
It was his second half-century this year, strengthening his case for Bangladesh’s middle-order in the T20 World Cup.
He shared a 69-run fourth-wicket stand with captain Najmul Hossain Shanto, who also showed form with his 36.
Zimbabwe’s bowling, however, kept the home side in check, especially in the early overs, including two maiden overs.
Bennett strikes early
Bennett and Blessing Muzarabani stifled Bangladesh during the powerplay.
Muzarabani got Tanzid Hossain to top-edge a slog in the second over before Bennett removed Soumya Sarkar and Towhid Hridoy in successive overs.
Sean Williams took a simple catch from a Soumya dab at point.
Hridoy was caught behind, misjudging the bounce on a square cut.
Bennett and Muzarabani also bowled a maiden each as the home side slipped to 15 for 3 in the fifth over.
Mahmudullah rebuilds
Mahmudullah countered Zimbabwe’s dominance with three fours in his first four balls.
He started with a sweep, then hit Bennett for a cover drive, and finished with a slice through point.
He added 69 runs for the fourth wicket with Najmul Hossain Shanto.
Luke Jongwe dropped Shanto on 25 at short third-man after the batter miscued a hoick against Wellington Masakadza.
Shanto slammed Masakadza for his first six, but his attempt to repeat it on the next ball went straight to Ryan Burl at deep midwicket.
Mahmudullah launched Bennett over long-on for his only six, adding 39 runs with Shakib Al Hasan for the fifth wicket.
Johnathan Campbell’s brilliant running catch from deep midwicket cut short Shakib’s 17-ball 21, before Muzarabani had Mahmudullah caught at cover for 54.
Bennett cracks on
After impressing with the ball, Bennett gave Zimbabwe a flying start with the bat.
He struck Mahedi Hasan for two fours in the first over.
He then smacked Mahedi for two sixes and a four in his next over, before hammering Saifuddin for two more fours in the fourth over.
Shakib stumped Marumani in the fifth over, slowing down Zimbabwe before Raza slammed Saifuddin over midwicket for his first six.
Bennett surpassed his previous best in T20Is with a six off Rishad Hossain and reached his fifty in the 12th over.
He struck two more sixes, bringing his tally to five, before holing out to Saifuddin for 70 off 49 balls.
He also struck five fours.
Raza nails down the chase
Raza, who supported Bennett in the 74-run second-wicket stand, continued with the big hits after the opener’s departure.
He struck Saifuddin for two fours in the 16th over, leaving Zimbabwe needing 32 off the last four overs.
He reached his fifty off 41 balls, achieving the milestone with a pulled four.
Raza then deposited Saifuddin for a huge six over midwicket, followed by a six over long-off and a four.
He finished unbeaten on 72 off 46 balls, with four sixes and six fours.
Campbell remained unbeaten on eight runs, hitting the winning runs in the 19th over.
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