Zimbabwe secured an eight-wicket victory over Bangladesh in the fifth and final Twenty20 match on Sunday, avoiding a series clean sweep. 

Bangladesh, batting first, posted a total of 157-6, but Brian Bennett's impressive 70 off 49 balls, which included five fours and five sixes, laid the foundation for Zimbabwe's win with nine balls remaining.

Sikandar Raza, the skipper, contributed an unbeaten 72 off 46 balls and shared a crucial 75-run partnership with Bennett for the second wicket after Shakib Al Hasan had dismissed Tadiwanashe Marumani early for 1. 

Zimbabwe successfully navigated Bangladesh's bowling, maintaining a balance between caution and aggression, unlike the previous four matches where they suffered top-order collapses. 

Bennett achieved his maiden fifty off 36 balls before being caught by Rishad Hossain off Mohammad Saifuddin's short delivery in the 16th over, with Zimbabwe already in a commanding position at 113-2. 

Raza, who struck six fours and four sixes en route to his 14th T20 fifty, skillfully guided the tourists to victory, denying Bangladesh their first five-match series clean sweep.

Earlier, Bangladesh, put into bat, relied on Mahmudullah's 54 off 44 balls to recover from a top-order collapse that had left them reeling at 15-3. 

Fast bowler Blessing Muzarabani (2-22) removed the in-form Taznid Hasan Tamim for two with a short ball in the second over, while offspinner Bennett (2-20) dismissed Soumya for 7 and Towhid Hridoy for 1, leaving the hosts in trouble early on. 

Mahmudullah and Najmul Hossain Shanto (36) steadied the innings with a 69-run partnership, and after Shanto's dismissal by Wellington Masakadza, Mahmudullah added another 39 runs with Shakib (21) to help Bangladesh surpass the 150-run mark.

Source: The Times of India 

BDST: 1509 HRS, MAY 12, 2024
MN