Shakib Al Hasan put in a match-winning performance with both bat and ball to steer Bangladesh to a 2-1 series win over Zimbabwe in the third one-day international in Mirpur today.
Shakib Al Hasan put in a match-winning performance with both bat and ball to steer Bangladesh to a 2-1 series win over Zimbabwe in the third one-day international in Mirpur today.
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In a match reduced to 37 overs per side due to heavy fog, Shakib took the spotlight in both knocks as the Tigers chased down their opponents' 119 with six wickets in hand.
Shakib turned in a miserly spell of eight overs for 15 in the first innings, collecting three wickets along the way.
Amazingly, four of the 24-year-old's overs were maidens as the tourists struggled to establish any rhythm at the crease.
He was at it again in the Bangladesh reply, putting together a measured 33 not out to see his side home.
The day started poorly for Zimbabwe after play belatedly got under way with the impressive Mashrafe Mortaza trapping Vusi Sibanda leg before without a run on the scoreboard.
Mortaza, impressing with the new ball, quickly removed Hamilton Masakadza and Stuart Matsikenyeri for 10 apiece to leave the batting side wobbling at 31 for three.
Sean Williams weighed in with 38 valuable runs, including five boundaries, in a productive partnership with Keith Dabengwa, who finished undefeated on 21.
Tamim Iqbal got the chase off to a good start, hitting five fours on his way to a 49-ball 34, but an early run out and danger man Mohammad Ashraful's dismissal for just three gave Zimbabwe hope.
Spinner Ray Price was responsible for that wicket, one of two he claimed in a remarkable spell of 7-2-9-2.
But even that level of economy was not enough to hold off Bangladesh as Shakib (33 n o off 36 balls) and Mushfiqur Rahim (20 n o off 31 balls) secured the six-wicket victory.
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