Bangladesh recorded a sizeable 39-run win over Zimbabwe to get their tri-series campaign back on track after their previous game’s defeat to Afghanistan.
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Having been inserted, the hosts racked up 175/7, a total that would prove more than enough to do for Zimbabwe. Each of their top five made it into double figures, with Liton Das carrying onto 38 off 22 and Mushfiqur Rahim contributing a useful 32 off 26.
The latter’s knock came in 78-run partnership with Mahmudullah, who blasted five sixes to go with a solitary four in his 41-ball 62 before falling in the final over. The Tigers stumbled somewhat towards the end of their innings, and their eventual total might have been 10 runs shy of what they would have fancied making before Mushfiqur’s dismissal. Kyle Jarvis took 3/32, while Sean Williams and Tinotenda Mutombodzi were both economical.
Still, the eventual margin looked like being a huge one as Zimbabwe lost three wickets early on before sliding further to 66/7. Hamilton Masakadza offered the only resistance early on with a run-a-ball 25, helping his team recover slightly from 8/3 before he was struck in front.
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The wickets were shared around, with Shafiul Islam and Aminul Islam taking two wickets each before the former came in for some tap from Richmond Mutumbami, who smashed 54 off 32 to help his side avoid ignominy.
However, Zimbabwe never looked like recovering from their poor start, and Shafiul would have the last laugh, getting Mutumbami to hole out to short third man before Mustafizur Rahman cleaned up the tail, taking him to 50 T20I wickets. He is the fourth fastest bowler in history to the landmark.
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The victory takes Bangladesh joint top in the standings with Afghanistan, though the hosts have played one game more. Zimbabwe, four points adrift with one game left to play, are now out of contention for the title.
