2nd ODI: Tamim Iqbal Stars as Bangladesh Beat Zimbabwe to Clinch Series Despite Donald Tiripano’s Blitzkrieg

By CricketCountry Staff Updated: Mar 04, 2020, 12:41 AM IST

Zimbabwe almost pulled off a stunning victory but Bangladesh held their nerve in the dying stages as they edged past their spirited rivals, in the end, to save the day, registering a thrilling four-run victory in the second ODI in Sylhet on Tuesday. Opener Tamim Iqbal's a majestic knock of 158, the highest score by a Bangladesh batsman in ODIs, propelled the hosts to a mammoth total of 322/8, Zimbabwe looked all but out as they slipped to 225/7 in the 42nd over. But tailender Donald Tiripano (55 off 28 balls) had some other plans as he single-handedly made a match out of it for the tourists and launched a stirring counter-attack. Tiripano and Tinotenda Mutombodzi (34 off 21 balls) added 80 runs for the eighth wicket in just 7.3 overs to turn the match on its head. Tiripano struck five massive sixes, including two in the final over, but he failed to connect another one off the final ball to secure a memorable win for the African nation. Pacer Al-Amin Hossain held his nerve at the last to seal the series for Bangladesh. Chasing a stiff 323 for a win, Zimbabwe never looked in the chase before Tiripano and Mutombodzi joined hands. For the hosts, Taijul Islam picked up three wickets. For the tourists, Sikandar Raza top-scored with 66 while opener Tinashe Kamunhukamwe and 19-year old Wesley Madhevere also scored 51 and 52 respectively.

Bangladesh win by 4 runs 👏
An amazing 55* from 28 balls by Donald Tiripano isn't quite enough for Zimbabwe, but what an innings!#BANvZIM pic.twitter.com/Z5HSQPmlEO — ICC (@ICC) March 3, 2020

Earlier, Tamim became the first Bangladesh batsman to score 7,000 ODI runs, after he roared back to form with a top-knock of 158. The hosts had won the toss and elected to bat first. Tamim, who played his first ODI in nine months in the first match, had taken a break from cricket in the second half of 2019. The highest Tamim has scored in his last seven innings in ODIs is just 36, but on Tuesday he looked his usual best as he took 136 deliveries to get to 158 with the help of 20 fours and three sixes. The 30-year-old has been Bangladesh's leading run-getter in ODIs and this feat adds another feather to his cap. Bangladesh also improved their highest total against Zimbabwe - made just two days ago - by a run. Brief scores: Bangladesh 322/8 in 50 overs (Tamim Iqbal 158, Mushfiqur Rahim 55; Carl Mumba 2/64, Donald Tiripano 2/55; Zimbabwe 318/8 in 50 overs (Sikandar Raza 66, Donald Tiripano 55 not out; Taijul Islam 3/52)

Tags: