10 January,2009 01:30 PM IST | | AFP
Elton Chigumbura cracked a half-century under pressure to help Zimbabwe reach 205-9 against Bangladesh in a triangular one-day series match today.
The visitors were wobbling at 94-5 after being put in to bat, but Chigumbura steadied the innings with a 95-ball 64 - his eighth half-century in 79 one-day internationals.
The Zimbabwean middle-order batsman hit five fours and a straight six off debutant seamer Mahbubul Alam in the last over before being run out.
Bangladesh never allowed Zimbabwe to build a big partnership with their disciplined bowling, with left-arm spinner Shakib Al Hasan (3-23) and off-spinner Naeem Islam (3-32) striking at regular intervals.
The spin duo was backed by fast bowler Mashrafe Mortaza, who finished with 2-41 off 10 overs.
Stuart Matsikenyeri was Zimbabwe's second-highest contributor with a 51-ball 39, which included six fours.
Sri Lanka are the third side in the series. Each team will play two league matches before the top two qualify for the January-16 final.
