Zimbabwe bounced back strong against Bangladesh in the second match on Sunday (July 18) after losing the first encounter of the ODI series. Bangladesh won the match in the end, courtesy of Shakib Al Hasan’s courageous effort with the bat, for that he was presented the player of the match award.Bangladesh won by three wickets in an exciting battle between these two sides. Team tigers take a 2-0 series lead, with the third match taking place at the same venue on Tuesday (July 20). The second match report of the BAN vs. ZIM 2021 ODI series is discussed in this article.
BAN vs. ZIM 2021 ODI Series: The Second Match Report
Zimbabwe were desperate for a win in the second match and gave it all they had. However, their effort went in vain as Bangladesh sealed the series with a 3-wicket victory in Harare in the second game.
This was a special match for all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan, who has struggled with the bat this year. Bangladesh won the game in the last over thanks to Shakib’s unbeaten 96* runs. He became the third Bangladeshi player to reach 12,000 international runs with this knock after Tamim Iqbal and Mushfiqur Rahim.
Shakib Al Hasan also broke Jacques Kallis’ world record. Former South African international Kallis is the first player in international cricket history to have 500+ wickets and 12,000 runs. Shakib became the second player to achieve this feat on Sunday (July 18). But he reached the milestone far quicker than Kallis. Shakib completed the milestone in 348 games, whereas Kallis needed to play 420 games.
Shakib Al Hasan will just need 17 wickets to become the first player in international cricket history to have 600 wickets and 12,000 runs. Shakib has scored 12,070 runs and claimed 583 wickets in 348 international appearances.
Coming to the match report, Zimbabwe elected to bat first and scored 240/9 in their 50-over quota. Zimbabwe’s progression was repeatedly halted due to the inability to construct big partnerships in the middle.
Chakabva (26), Brendon Taylor (46), Dion Myers (34), Wessley Madhevere (56), and Sikandar Raza (30) contributed with the bat for Zimbabwe. Young left-arm pacer Shoriful Islam was Bangladesh’s most successful bowler. He took four wickets for 46 runs, accompaniedwith Shakib taking two.
Bangladesh got off to a good start thanks to a 39-run partnership between Tamim and Liton in the first ten overs. However, Bangladesh lost four wickets in the following nine overs and were down to 75/4 in 18 overs.
The Shakib-Mahmudullah duo then aimed to rebuild the innings with a 55-run partnership. However, things started to turn in Zimbabwe’s favor once again as Bangladesh lost three more wickets in the middle of the innings. Bangladesh were 173/7 at the time.
Shakib then paired up with fast bowling all-rounder Mohammad Saifuddin to take Bangladesh home in the 50th overs with an unbeaten 69*-run eighth-wicket partnership. Apart from Shakib’s match-winning 96*, Saifuddin delivered a crucial 28*-run knock.
Vrdict
Bangladesh won the match and the series with a game in hand owing to Shakib Al Hasan’s outstanding batting performance. Shakib has been struggling to score runs since his comeback last year prior to this match. Therefore, this match came as a welcome respite to him. It was Bangladesh’s 18th consecutive ODI victory over Zimbabwe.
Zimbabwe’s last ODI victory against Bangladesh came in Bulawayo in 2013. It’s indeed clear that Bangladesh have dominated Zimbabwe in recent series. Team tigers is expected to win the BAN vs. ZIM 2021 ODI series 3-0 against the host.
Source: United News of Bangladesh