Shakib Al Hasan hit his 49th fifty and went past 12,000 international runs for Bangladesh as they won the second ODI vs Zimbabwe to take an unassailable lead in the three-match series.
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Shakib Al Hasan is considered one of the greatest all-rounders in the world. His exploits have ensured Bangladesh has secured some memorable wins in their 21-year history. In the second ODI against Zimbabwe in Harare, Shakib continued to show his brilliance. He smashed 96 and took two wickets as Bangladesh registered a three-wicket win in the second ODI. Bangladesh, thus, took an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series but Shakib created a new record.
When Shakib smashed his 49th fifty, he became the first Bangladesh player to go past 12,000 international runs. He is also 17 wickets away from reaching 600 international runs as he continued to enhance his reputation. Shakib’s brilliance, combined with a four-wicket haul from Shoriful Islam gave Bangladesh a brilliant win.
The hosts chose to bat and they made two changes. Tinashe Kamunhukamwe and Sikandar Raza came in for Ryan Burl and Timycen Maruma. Bangladesh was unchanged. Zimbabwe made a bad start as Kamunhukamwe was dismissed for 0 by Taskin Ahmed in the first over. Tadiwanashe Marumani and Regis Chakabva tried to build a solid stand but Mehidy Hasan sent back Marumani for 13 with a poor shot.
Brendan Taylor, the skipper, looked ominous with a six and a four off Shoriful Islam. Taylor became the second-highest run-getter for Zimbabwe when he overtook Grant Flower. The skipper hit a couple of fours but yet again, the partnership was broken when Shakib sent back Chakabva for 26.
Taylor neared his fifty but on 46, controversy erupted. He tried to ramp Shoriful but missed it. Taylor shadow-practiced the shot but he lost control of the bat and it nicked the bail off. Bangladesh appealed and the third umpire, after many replays, gave him out. Taylor was clearly not happy and he trudged off.
Dion Myers tried to revive Zimbabwe with a solid partnership but he was sent back by Shakib for 34. Wesley Madhevere looked in good touch with a couple of fours off Taskin Ahmed. Madhevere neared his fifty with a six off Afif Hossain. Madhevere went past his fifty but Shoriful turned the tide.
In the 45th over, Madhevere was sent back for 56. Shorfiul then sent back Luke Jongwe and Blessing Muzarabani in the same over as he ended with four wickets. Sikandar Raza looked to take Zimbabwe near to 250 with two fours off Mohammad Saifuddin. But, the bowler sent him back for 34 and Zimbabwe ended on 240/9.
In response, Tamim Iqbal and Liton Das started brilliantly. Tamim hit two fours off Blessing Muzarabani while Liton hit three fours off Tendai Chatara in one over. But, Luke Jongwe got the wicket of Tamim for 20. Richard Ngarava then struck to send back Liton for 21. When Jongwe dismissed Mohammad Mithun, Zimbabwe was in front.
Mosaddek Hossain was run-out but Shakib Al Hasan was playing steadily for Bangladesh.
Mahmudullah was giving Shakib great support, with the veteran hitting two fours off Chatara. Shakib neared his fifty with a couple of fours but Zimbabwe got the big wicket of Mahmudullah for 26 with Muzarabani taking the wicket. The left-hander reached his fifty but when Mehidy Hasan fell, Bangladesh were 145/6 in 32 overs.
Shakib and Afif Hossain tried to stitch a partnership but the match continued to see-saw. Raza sent back Afif as Bangladesh were still 68 runs away. Shakib found great support in Saifuddin and the duo calmly steered Bangladesh close. Zimbabwe put in some brilliant fielding efforts but Bangladesh were on course. Saifuddin and Shakib stayed till the end and got Bangladesh over the line as they took an unassailable lead in the three-match series.
Shakib, who won the Man of the Match, acknowledged the importance of Saifuddin’s knock. “Today was the day I had to put my hands up, very happy… it wasn’t easy and credit to Saifuddin for the way he played. He showed a lot of composure. If I compare the wicket to the first ODI, today it was a bit slower and it wasn’t easy for the batsmen to score runs,” Shakib said.
