HARARE, Feb 9: Bangladesh posted an unlikely 13-run victory against timid Zimbabwe in the third of four One-day Internationals here on Friday.
The tourists had struggled to make 228 for nine in their 50 overs and looked to be on their way to defeat when Zimbabwe raced to 91 without loss.
But Zimbabwe then folded meekly after openers Terrence Duffin (37) and Vusi Sibanda (64) were out, the hosts going on to assemble only 215 all out with two balls remaining.
With only one match to play, Bangladesh hold an unbeatable 2-1 lead.
The tourists' main effort centred upon Shahriar Nafeez with 69, his 13th one-day half century, and Mushfique Rahim, who made 42, who put on 100 for the fourth wicket.
The series winds up with a fourth and final match here Saturday.
Scoreboard
BANGLADESH
Tamim Iqbal c Brent b Ireland 5
Shahriar Nafees c Sibanda b Dabengwa 69
Aftab Ahmed c Mpofu b Ireland 1
Saqibul Hasan c Taylor b Chigumbura 11
Mushfiqur Rahim c Williams b Brent 42
Habibul Bashar run out 31
Mohammad Ashraful run out 3
Mashrafe Mortaza b Ireland 29
Mohammad Sharif run out 6
Tapash Baisya not out 18
Abdur Razzak not out 2
EXTRAS (B-4, W-7) 11
TOTAL (for nine wkts, 50 overs) 228
FALL OF WKTS: 1-7, 2-10, 3-36, 4-136, 5-142, 6-149, 7-200, 8-203, 9-211.
BOWLING: Mpofu 8-1-32-0; Ireland 10-0-53-3 (3w); Chigumbura 5-0-26-1 (3w); Utseya 10-1-33-0; Brent 7-0-27-1 (1w); Dabengwa 5-0-23-1; Williams 5-0-30-0.
ZIMBABWE:
T. Duffin st Mushfiqur b Abdur Razzak 37
V. Sibanda c Habibul b Sharif 64
H. Masakadza c Baisya b Saqibul 6
S.C. Williams run out 8
B.R.M. Taylor run out 13
E. Chigumbura c Aftab b Mashrafe 33
K.M. Dabengwa b Baisya 18
G.B. Brent run out 7
P. Utseya c Aftab b Baisya 0
C.B. Mpofu run out 3
A.J. Ireland not out 1
EXTRAS (LB-5, W-12, NB-7) 24
TOTAL (all out, 49.4 overs) 214
FALL OF WKTS: 1-91, 2-115, 3-124, 4-140, 5-149, 6-202, 7-204, 8-206, 9-210.
BOWLING: Mashrafe Mortaza 10-1-32-1 (2w); Tapash Baisya 10-0-50-2 (2w); Mohammad Sharif 9.5-0-53-1 (7nb); Abdur Razzak 9.4-0-44-1 (7w); Saqibul Hasan 10-0-29-1 (1w); Aftab Ahmed 0.1-0-1-0.
RESULT: Bangladesh won by 14 runs.—AFP