Mosaddek Hossain claimed his career-best 5-20 as Bangladesh raised a prospect of leveling the three-match T20 series, restricting Zimbabwe to 135-8 in the second match at Harare Sports Club today.
Mosaddek who became only fourth Bangladeshi bowler to take five-wicket haul after Elias Sunny, Mustafizur Rahman and Shakib Al Hasan bowled four straight overs to take those five wickets, which was instrumental in limiting the hosts to such low total in a batting paradise.
Just 24 hours ago at this venue, Zimbabwe posted 205-3 and went on to win the first game by 17 runs against Bangladesh to lead the series 1-0.
Sikandar Raza who helped Zimbabwe to propel past 200 runs in the first match with a whirlwind 26 ball-65 not out, stood tall once again after the carnage of Mosaddek.
He struck 62 off 53, hitting four fours and two sixes and was the reason that Zimbabwe could go past 100 runs mark.
Ryan Burl who scored 32 was the only other batter to reach double digit mark for Zimbabwe.
Raza and Burl added 80-run for the sixth wicket stand after Zimbabwe were reduced to 31-5 in seventh over, courtesy to a wily off-spin of Mosaddek.
Fast bowlers Hasan Mahmud and Mustafizur Rahman took one wicket apiece.
Zimbabwe skipper Craig Ervine predictably opted to bat first after winning the toss and expected that the things would go like the first T20. But Mosaddek interrupted as he came up with intriguing variations to his bowling to stun the hosts.
He struck twice in the first over, dismissing Regis Chakabva for first ball-duck and took out Wessly Madhevere (4) in the last ball. Madhevere with 67 was the highest scorer for Zimbabwe in the last game.
There was no respite for Zimbabwe as Mosaddek forced the local side’s top order fall like a pack of cards. His victim included captain Ervine (1), Sean
Williams (8) and Milton Shumba (3).
After his bowling quota was completed, Zimbabwe got some relief as Raza and Burl took the side past 100 before Hasan Mahmud, one of the two changes of Bangladesh for this match came up with another strike to dismiss Burl who hit three boundaries for his 31 ball-32.
Raza’s brilliant knock came at the penultimate over as he was dismissed by Mustafizur Rahman trying to accelerate the innings. Luke Jongwe and Wellington Masakadza then propelled the side past 130.
