Hosts Bangladesh thrashed Zimbabwe by 186 runs in the third and final Test in Chittagong yesterday to sweep the series 3-0.
The tourists, set a tough winning target of 449, were bowled out for 262 in their second innings just before tea on the fifth day in the port city.
Regis Chakabva with 89 not out was the only batsman to offer much resistance as wickets tumbled at the other end after Zimbabwe resumed on 71-1.
Seamers Shafiul Islam and Rubel Hossain, and spinners Jubair Hossain and Shuvagata Hom, claimed two wickets each to seal Bangladesh’s domination of the series.
Bangladesh had posted a three-wicket win in the first Test in Dhaka, before routing Zimbabwe by 162 runs in the second match in Khulna.
In the 88 Tests Bangladesh have played since their debut in 2000, they have won just seven, lost 70 and drawn 11.
The success helped Bangladesh rise from the bottom of the table at No. 10 in the Test rankings to No. 9, condemning Zimbabwe to last place.
Home captain Mushfiqur Rahim said he hoped the good work in the Tests would continue in the subsequent five-match one-day series.
“It’s a great feeling to sweep the series, the team really performed well,” Rahim said.
AUSTRALIA, S AFRICA
AFP, PERTH, Australia
South Africa struck back with a vengeance in the second ODI against Australia at the WACA in Perth on Sunday, leveling the series with a three-wicket win.
Proteas skipper A.B. de Villiers had vowed his side would be seeking redemption after being beaten in the series opener on Friday.
His team backed those words with a superb bowling display as the home side were dismissed for just 154 in 41.4 overs on what appeared to be a good batting wicket.
South Africa overcame some anxious moments and reckless batting to edge to the victory target, reaching 157-7 in just 27.4 overs.
Paceman Josh Hazlewood was one bright light for Australia, with career-best figures of 5-31.
Paceman and man-of-the-match Morne Morkel led the way for South Africa with 5-21, his second five-wicket haul in one-day internationals and career-best figures.
It was Morkel who struck the first blow with David Warner caught down the leg side by wicketkeeper Quinton de Kock for a duck.
Stand-in skipper George Bailey and emerging all-rounder Mitchell Marsh raised Australia hopes briefly when they added 58 for the fifth wicket before Bailey was brilliantly caught by a diving Du Plessis from the bowling of Vernon Philander (1-16) for 25.
Marsh was the only Australia batsman to offer significant resistance, making 67 from 88 balls.
A contentious third-umpire decision helped swing the game firmly back South Africa’s way as Australia’s middle order tried to rally after the poor start.
Australia were 125-5 when Matthew Wade was given not out caught down the leg side by De Kock from the bowling of Morkel, but after lengthy deliberation the decision was overturned.
Morkel struck again without addition of the score, bowling Glenn Maxwell for a duck.
Morkel then removed Mitchell Johnson (3) caught behind to claim his fifth scalp.
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