Shakib Al Hasan starred with bat and ball for the second time in as many days, and this time his efforts secured victory for Bangladesh as they won the second Twenty20 international against Zimbabwe to earn a share of the series.
Shakib’s all-round performance had not been enough on Saturday, when Bangladesh went down by six runs, but on Sunday he shone even brighter as the visitors ended their tour with a 34-run win.
Having struck 40 from 28 deliveries as Bangladesh posted 168-7 in their 20 overs, Shakib claimed the crucial wicket of Zimbabwe captain Brendan Taylor and recorded figures of 4-22 from four overs.
Photo: AFP
Zimbabwe gave only the briefest hint that they would chase down a tricky target when Taylor added 40 in under four overs with opener Vusi Sibanda, who made 32.
However after Taylor skied a Shakib delivery and departed for just 15, the rest of his team trudged off at regular intervals on their way to a final total of 134-9.
“I don’t think we relaxed, I just don’t think we executed as well as we did yesterday,” Taylor said. “The quality players that they do have came out and scored very freely, which is not surprising when the bowlers don’t land the ball in the right areas.”
Shakib’s 82-run partnership with Tamim Iqbal was at the heart of Bangladesh’s innings as the tourists scored 99 from their first 10 overs, before tapering off in the second 10.
Tamim found a semblance of form in hitting 43 from just 30 deliveries, providing the momentum that Bangladesh needed to end a trying tour on a high note.
“After losing three straight games it’s been hard work for us to come back so all credit goes to the boys,” captain Mushfiqur Rahim said.
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