Shakib's gritty 96 helps Tigers to series win against Zimbabwe

Ace all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan's gritty 96 helped Bangladesh to a three-wicket win at Harare today as the Tigers chased down Zimbabwe's 240 to seal the three-match ODI series 2-0 with one match still to go.

Mohammad Saifuddin, the last recognized batsman to arrive at the crease after Afif Hossain's departure, provided the support that Shakib needed to carry the Tigers. Saifuddin streaked away a boundary in the 49th over, getting an inside-edge to reduce the equation to three runs off six deliveries and remained unbeaten on 28 off 34 deliveries. Shakib then punched away the first delivery off the last over to take Tigers past Zimbabwe's 240.

It was a tough chase for the Tigers after they lost both openers Tamim Iqbal and Liton Das in the 10th and 13th over of the innings after a solid start. Mohammad Mithun left soon before Mossaddek Hossain's run out piled the pressure on Bangladesh's batting lineup.

Shakib first responded with a fifty partnership with Mahmudullah Riyad and when it looked like the duo would carry on the momentum, Mahmudullah departed to Muzarabani.

Shakib kept up the fight as first Mehedi Hasan and then Afif Hossain departed. Having been out of touch with the bat for a long period of time, Shakib responded in style, crafting an 109-ball 96 not out, laced with eight fours. He along with Saifuddin remained there till the end during an unbroken 69-run stand to take Tigers past Zimbabwe's total.

Earlier, left-arm seamer Shoriful Islam took a career-best haul of four wickets as Bangladesh restricted Zimbabwe to 240 for nine in their 50 overs.

Shakib Al Hasan took two wickets for 42 while Taskin Ahmed, Mohammad Saifuddin and Mehedi Hasan Miraz got a wicket apiece for Bangladesh

Shakib keeps up fight with wickets tumbling at the other end

Bangladesh ace all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan fought back after a disappointing run with the bat, picking up his 49th ODI fifty in the second ODI against Zimbabwe today at Harare.

The innings was a different picture than most other knocks from Shakib as the all-rounder managed to get back into the flow with the Tigers losing wickets at the other end. He went inside out against the spin to Sikandar Raza in the 30th over, hitting the ball through covers to bring up his fifty but will know that the job is only half done.

Shakib Al Hasan and Mahmudullah Riyad, the Tigers' favourite duo in chases after their epic 224-run partnership in the Champions Trophy against the Kiwis, were getting their act together as they starred in a fifty stand after the loss of four wickets. 

Shakib hit Luke Jongwe straight down the wicket through Riyad's legs to bring up the fifty stand. Blessing Muzarabani however brought Zimbabwe back into the game as Riyad departed after a 35-ball 26, trying to cut away a short delivery but edging it through to the wicket-keeper. Mahmudullah would be disappointed to get out to a poor short after getting his sight in as his partnership with Shakib ended at 55.

New batsman Mehedi Miraz however did not last long as he lost his cool and was holed out at deep midwicket in the 32nd over. Afif Hossain then looked good during a 23-ball 15 but then got beaten by Sikandar Raza's flighted delivery as he danced down the track and was stumped. 

Mosaddek run out spells further trouble for the Tigers

An attempt at an ill-conceived run led to Mosaddek Hossain being run out at the striker's end as Bangladesh lost their fourth wicket in chase of Zimbabwe's 240.

Shakib Al Hasan was batting when a delivery when Ngarava bowled a yorker outside the leg stump. Shakib did not get a bat on it and the wicket-keeper fumbled leading to Mosaddek calling for the run as he decided to take the risk of running to the striker's end. Wicket-keeper Chakabva was however quick to recover and his direct hit found Mosaddek short of his crease. Mahmudullah Riyad is the new batsman in the crease.

Tigers in early trouble as Mithun follows Liton and Tamim back to the hut

Mohammad Mithun played a Luke Jongwe delivery away from his body, looking to cut it away but only managed to find the fielder at cover point as Bangladesh lost their third wicket in chase of Zimbabwe's 240.

Bangladesh are finding themselves in a challenging position in chase of Zimbabwe's 240 as Mohammad Mithun departed shortly after openers Tamim and Liton. With no Mushfiqur Rahim in the side, Tigers banked heavily on packing their side with all-rounders and it appears that they might need that depth again. Given the rough patch that Shakib Al Hasan has been going through with the bat, the Tigers will be hoping that the ace  all-rounder can finally redeem himself and help the Tigers with Zimbabwe bowlers sniffing an opportunity after the three wickets. 

Tigers lose Tamim and Liton in chase of Zimbabwe's 241

Tamim Iqbal was looking quite good out there in the middle in the second ODI in what was his second match since a return from a leg injury. The ODI skipper however fell to an extraordinary catch in chase of Zimbabwe's 240 as the hosts made their first breakthrough at Harare today. Liton, who was also looking solid at the other end, then fell to Richard Ngarava as Tigers saw both openers back in the hut.

Tamim played some glorious shots during his 33-ball 20, often driving on the up. In the 10th over of Bangladesh's chase, he rocked back on to the back foot and cut away Luke Jongwe but Sikandar Raza at point took a superb diving catch to end his knock.

Liton Das was in good touch, continuing in the same mold as his ton in the first ODI. He however completely miscued his pull shot against Richard Ngarava in the 13th over as Bangladesh were 46 for to after 13 overs in chase of 241.