Shoriful claims four as Bangladesh bowl Zimbabwe out for 199

Bangla Press Desk:   Bangladesh quick Shoriful Islam claimed 4-44 to bundle Zimbabwe out for 199 in 48.1 overs in the third and final ODI at Harare Sports Club on Saturday.

Wessly Madhevere anchored the innings with 75 off 74 balls, while Brad Evans once again provided the finishing touch with a 50 off 43 deliveries to lift Zimbabwe after an early collapse.

Earlier, Zimbabwe, having already secured the series 2-0, left out regular captain Richard Ngarava and premier fast bowler Blessing Muzarabani after Bangladesh captain Mehidy Hasan Miraz won the toss and elected to field.

Bangladesh also made two changes, leaving out fast bowler Nahid Rana and bringing back Mohammad Saifuddin, who played his first ODI since 2021 after replacing the injured Mustafizur Rahman in the squad. The visitors also left out Rishad Hossain for Tanvir Islam.

Shoriful and Taskin Ahmed once again gave Bangladesh the ideal start with early breakthroughs.

Centurion from the second ODI, Ben Curran departed early after attempting to defend a length delivery from Shoriful, only to see the ball roll back onto his stumps. He scored just 2 off 13 balls.

Taskin then found the edge of Brian Bennett's bat with a rising good-length delivery. Bennett made 6 off 19 as Zimbabwe slipped to 17-2 in 6.1 overs.

Bangladesh maintained control through disciplined bowling, with Saifuddin conceding only eight runs in his opening five-over spell while extracting slight movement off the pitch and through the air.

Shoriful struck again to remove Craig Ervine, who edged behind to wicketkeeper Nurul Hasan after scoring 5 off 20 balls, reducing Zimbabwe to 27-3 in the 12.3rd over.

Madhevere then counter-attacked with positive strokeplay and sharp singles to ease the pressure on Innocent Kaia, who struggled to rotate the strike.

Taskin returned for his second spell to dismiss Kaia with a bouncer that was well caught by Tanvir Islam at square leg. Kaia scored 25 off 67 balls as Zimbabwe slipped to 78-4 in the 26.1st over.

Experienced Sikandar Raza looked to increase the scoring rate, but Tanvir deceived him with a change of pace. Saifuddin completed the catch at short fine leg as Raza fell for 11 off 25 balls, including a six, leaving Zimbabwe at 107-5 in the 32.4th over.

Shoriful claimed his third wicket in the next over when Clive Madande edged behind to Nurul Hasan after scoring one.

Evans arrived at the crease in good form after his unbeaten 58 in the previous match and looked set to rescue Zimbabwe again.

He and Madhevere added 43 runs from 41 balls before Tanvir broke the partnership in the 40.2nd over, dismissing the well-set Madhevere for a career-best 75 off 74 balls, featuring five fours and a six.

Evans then added 20 runs with Wellington Masakadza, who was run out by Towhid Hridoy, before putting on another 26 runs with Ernest Masuku.

Shoriful ended Evans' resistance in his final over with another bouncer, dismissing him for 50 off 43 balls, including five fours and two sixes, his second ODI half-century.

Saifuddin then removed Masuku for 2 in the 48.1st over as Zimbabwe were bowled out for 199.

Shoriful finished with 4-44, while Taskin Ahmed and Tanvir Islam claimed two wickets each. Saifuddin returned figures of 1-31.v Bangladesh quick Shoriful Islam claimed 4-44 to bundle Zimbabwe out for 199 in 48.1 overs in the third and final ODI at Harare Sports Club on Saturday.

Wessly Madhevere anchored the innings with 75 off 74 balls, while Brad Evans once again provided the finishing touch with a 50 off 43 deliveries to lift Zimbabwe after an early collapse.

Earlier, Zimbabwe, having already secured the series 2-0, left out regular captain Richard Ngarava and premier fast bowler Blessing Muzarabani after Bangladesh captain Mehidy Hasan Miraz won the toss and elected to field.

Bangladesh also made two changes, leaving out fast bowler Nahid Rana and bringing back Mohammad Saifuddin, who played his first ODI since 2021 after replacing the injured Mustafizur Rahman in the squad. The visitors also left out Rishad Hossain for Tanvir Islam.

Shoriful and Taskin Ahmed once again gave Bangladesh the ideal start with early breakthroughs.

Centurion from the second ODI, Ben Curran departed early after attempting to defend a length delivery from Shoriful, only to see the ball roll back onto his stumps. He scored just 2 off 13 balls.

Taskin then found the edge of Brian Bennett's bat with a rising good-length delivery. Bennett made 6 off 19 as Zimbabwe slipped to 17-2 in 6.1 overs.

Bangladesh maintained control through disciplined bowling, with Saifuddin conceding only eight runs in his opening five-over spell while extracting slight movement off the pitch and through the air.

Shoriful struck again to remove Craig Ervine, who edged behind to wicketkeeper Nurul Hasan after scoring 5 off 20 balls, reducing Zimbabwe to 27-3 in the 12.3rd over.

Madhevere then counter-attacked with positive strokeplay and sharp singles to ease the pressure on Innocent Kaia, who struggled to rotate the strike.

Taskin returned for his second spell to dismiss Kaia with a bouncer that was well caught by Tanvir Islam at square leg. Kaia scored 25 off 67 balls as Zimbabwe slipped to 78-4 in the 26.1st over.

Experienced Sikandar Raza looked to increase the scoring rate, but Tanvir deceived him with a change of pace. Saifuddin completed the catch at short fine leg as Raza fell for 11 off 25 balls, including a six, leaving Zimbabwe at 107-5 in the 32.4th over.

Shoriful claimed his third wicket in the next over when Clive Madande edged behind to Nurul Hasan after scoring one.

Evans arrived at the crease in good form after his unbeaten 58 in the previous match and looked set to rescue Zimbabwe again.

He and Madhevere added 43 runs from 41 balls before Tanvir broke the partnership in the 40.2nd over, dismissing the well-set Madhevere for a career-best 75 off 74 balls, featuring five fours and a six.

Evans then added 20 runs with Wellington Masakadza, who was run out by Towhid Hridoy, before putting on another 26 runs with Ernest Masuku.

Shoriful ended Evans' resistance in his final over with another bouncer, dismissing him for 50 off 43 balls, including five fours and two sixes, his second ODI half-century.

Saifuddin then removed Masuku for 2 in the 48.1st over as Zimbabwe were bowled out for 199.

Shoriful finished with 4-44, while Taskin Ahmed and Tanvir Islam claimed two wickets each. Saifuddin returned figures of 1-31.