Mosaddek, Liton help Tigers level series

Bangladesh assailed the target of 136 set by Zimbabwe comfortably in the second T20I to return to winning ways at the Harare Sports Club yesterday with a series-levelling seven-wicket victory. The Tigers had lost the first T20I at the same venue by 17 runs the day before, but this time the bowlers ensured Zimbabwe did not post a mammoth total.

Bangladesh started well in chase with Liton Das beginning where he had left off in the earlier game. In the third over, Liton dispatched Tanaka Chivanga for two sixes and a four to start taking advantage of the Powerplay overs.

Munim Shahriar played across the line to a Richard Ngarava delivery in the fifth over to see his off stump disturbed after an eight-ball 7 but Bangladesh finished the Powerplay strongly at 53 for 1. Liton notched a stylish fifty but departed out leg-before to Sean Williams after 33a -ball 56, his innings featuring six fours and two sixes.

Anamul Haque fell in similar fashion to the first game, caught at deep mid-on off Sikandar Raza to depart for 16 but Afif Hossain (30) and Najmul Hossain (19) ensured that there was no further damage as they registered a 55-run unbroken stand of 48 deliveries.

Earlier, Mosaddek Hossain became the first off-spinner from Bangladesh to bag a fifer in T20Is to cause early trouble for the hosts after they had sent Bangladesh to field first.

Mosaddek got his team off to the perfect start with the ball, bagging Regis Chakabva with the first ball of the innings as the opener nicked one through to wicket-keeper Nurul Hasan Sohan before the off-spinner removed reliable Wesley Madhevere off a loose shot which was caught at point in the last ball of the first over. Captain Craig Ervine departed in Mosaddek's next over before the off-spinner scalped Sean Williams and Milton Shumba in his second spell to finish with five for 20 runs.

Sikandar Raza, who was the tormentor-in-chief in the first T20I with a match-winning 65 off 26 deliveries, once again came to his side's rescue. He stitched an 80-run sixth-wicket stand with Ryan Burl to bring Zimbabwe out of trouble. Burl struck a 31-ball 32 before he departed to pacer Hasan Mahmud, getting an inside edge onto his stumps. Raza followed suit the next over after a 53-ball 62, skying a Mustafizur Rahman delivery which was taken by Munim as Zimbabwe managed 135 for eight. Mustfizur and Mahmud finished with one wicket apiece.