Splendid Afif helps Tigers seal a three-wicket victory
Afif Hossain smashed a magnificent 26-ball 52 to help Bangladesh register a three-wicket victory against Zimbabwe in their opening game of the triangular T20I series at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur today.
It was still Zimbabwe's game when Afif walked in on the pitch -- with Bangladesh struggling at six for 60 after 9.3 overs. The 19-year old then snatched the game right away from Zimbabwe. He started off by smashing a boundary off a Madziva delivery. Mosaddek Hossain, who was at the other end, supported Afif well as the duo strung together a match winning 82-run seventh-wicket partnership. But Afif was the one who changed the overall scenario of the game. He struck eight boundaries and a solitary six before he fell to a Madziva delivery in the final over of the game. By then, the game was already taken away from the visitors -- Bangladesh needing another three runs off four deliveries. Although Afif was dismissed, Mosaddek remained unbeaten on 30 off 24 deliveries as he watched Mohammad Saifuddin take the winning runs with a four off a Madziva delivery in the final over of the game.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel. Earlier, Ryan Burl's quick-fire 32-ball 57 helped Zimbabwe post a challenging 144 for five. Burl, who was electric in the field -- taking a magnificent diving catch to dismiss Sabbir in the 10th over -- also took a solitary wicket with the ball, giving away 27 runs in his three overs. However, his heroics was trumped by the star of the day Afif as Bangladesh sealed a much needed victory with two balls remaining.
17.4, Ban148/7
Mohammad Saifuddin wraps it up for the Tigers in style. He swipes across a Madziva delivery for a boundary. Bangladesh register a three-wicket victory with two balls to spare.
[Wicket] 17.2, Ban 142/7: Afif Hossain c Masakadza b Madziva 52 (26b 8x4 1x6) SR: 200.00
Afif Hossain smashes an outside off full toss delivery from Madziva straight to the hands of Hamilton Masakdza, who takes a brilliant catch at extra cover. A brilliant innings comes to an end.
Afif strikes fifty as Tigers inch closer towards victory
16.6, Ban140/6
Afif Hossain slashes one towards point and hurries for a single. He completes the single and that brings up a brilliant fifty off just 24 deliveries. Bangladesh require another five runs in the final over to win the game.
Afif, Mosaddek star in fifty-run stand as Tigers cross hundred
14.3, Ban 110/6
Afif Hossain plays a Sean Williams delivery down the ground toward long on and takes a single. That brings up the fifty-run stand off just 31 deliveries between Afif and Mosaddek Hossain for the seventh-wicket.
14.1, Ban 108/6
Sean Williams fires one on the middle and Mosaddek Hossain, who went on the backfoot, tries to play it in the off side but misses it. It looks like there was an edge but the umpire gives not out. Zimbabwe goes for the review where it was confirmed that there was no bat involved. Mosaddek breathes a sigh of relief.
Burl takes a stunner to dismiss Sabbir
[Wicket] 9.3, Ban 60/6: Sabbir Rahman c Burl b Madziva 15 (15b 1x4 0x6) SR: 100.00
Sabbir Rahman shuffles across and slog sweeps an outside off delivery from Madziva high up in the sky. Burl covers a considerable distance as he runs towards his left from deep square leg position and takes an absolute stunner. Another one falls and Tigers are inching closer towards a defeat.
Riyad falls; Tigers lose their fifth
[Wicket] 8.1, Ban 56/5: Mahmudullah lbw b Burl 14 (16b 2x4 0x6) SR: 87.50
An angled in delivery from Ryan Burl and Mahmudullah Riyad goes to his backfoot and tries to play it down the leg side. He misses the ball and hits his pads. It looks to be going down the leg side but umpire gives out after a huge appeal from Zimbabwe. Bangladesh goes for the review and it shows that the ball would have gone to just clip the top of leg stump. If the umpires original decision was not out then Mahmudullah would have survived. However, he has to depart after scoring 14 as the umpire stays with the initial decision. Very unlucky indeed.
6.6, Ban 50/4
Sabbir Rahman dropped on 11. Sabbir goes for a pull but he is early to the shot. The ball gets the elevation and not the distance. It hangs in the air for a long time, but the fielder coming in from deep square leg could not hold onto it as it slips from his hands after his elbow hits the ground hard following a dive. The batsmen take a double and with that comes up Bangladesh's fifty.
Tigers in deep trouble as Chatara removes Shakib
[Wicket] 4.3, Ban 29/4: Shakib Al Hasan c Masakadza b Chatara 1 (3b 0x4 0x6) SR: 33.33
Chatara silences the crowd as he removes skipper Shakib Al Hasan. An angled delivery and Shakib, who was standing on his ground, edges it to the slip. Bangladesh are four down and desperately in need of a partnership.
Tigers in trouble as they lose three wickets in quick succession
[Wicket] 3.4, Ban 27/3: Mushfiqur Rahim c †Taylor b Jarvis 0 (1b 0x4 0x6) SR: 0.00
A short delivery from Jarvis gets the better of Mushfiqur Rahim. He tries to play it somewhere around the fine-leg but he seemed to take his eye off and the ball goes up after hitting is handle of the bat. Keeper does the rest.
Liton, Soumya fall in back to back deliveries
[Wicket] 3.1, Ban 26/2: Soumya Sarkar c Madziva b Jarvis 4 (7b 0x4 0x6) SR: 57.14
Soumya Sarkar is well decieved by a slower bowl from Jarvis. He tries to play it over the infield but toe ends it and gives a catch to mid-off.
[Wicket] 2.6, Ban 26/1: Liton Das b Chatara 19 (14b 1x4 1x6) SR: 135.71
Tendai Chatara rattles the stumps of Liton Das with a perfect yorker. Liton backs away too fast and could not the block the ball. He goes for 19 and Bangladesh lose their first wicket.
Burl fifty helps Zimbabwe post 144 for five
17.6, Zim 144/5
An inside out drive from Mutombodzi over wide mid-off off a Mustafizur Rahman delivery. The batsmen take a doble and Zimbabwe finishes on a high. It has been an excellent batting display from Ryan Burl, who scored a quick-fire unbeaten 32-ball 57 and strung a crucial 81-run unbeaten stand with Mutombodzi for the sixth wicket.
9:25 pm: The lights come back and the match resumes. Mustafizur Rahman to bowl the final over.
16.6, Zim 136/5
9:20 pm: There has been a sudden power failure at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium. The match has stopped as the floodlights went off. Thousands of mobile phone lights come on and it is a sight to behold.
Burl smashes Shakib for 30 runs in one over as he brings up his fifty
15.6, Zim 125/5
Another six off a Shakib Al Hasan delivery. This time he smashes it straight down the ground. With this Burl brings up his fifty off just 28 deliveries. He smashed Shakib for 30 runs in the over, that saw three fours and three maximums.
Hundred comes up for Zimbabwe
15.1, Zim 101/5
Burl bings up hundred for Zimbabwe in style. He slog sweeps Shakib Al Hasan for a huge six over deep backward square.
Maruma falls to a run out
[Wicket] 9.3, Zim 63/5: T Maruma run out (Shakib Al Hasan/Mustafizur Rahman) 1 (2b 0x4 0x6) SR: 50.00
Burl plays one on the leg side and the batsman at the other end, Maruma starts running. Burl takes a step forward but then tries to send his partner back. But it was too late for him. Zimbabwe lose their fourth.
Zimbabwe lose two wickets in quick succession
[Wicket] 8.1, Zim 56/4: SC Williams c & b Mosaddek Hossain 2 (3b 0x4 0x6) SR: 66.66
Mosaddek Hossain strikes in his first ball. Sean Williams checks his shot at the last moment but could nt control it. Ends up giving an easy catch to the bowler. Zimbabwe lose two in just a span of three deliveries.
[Wicket] 7.5, Zim 56/3: H Masakadza c Sabbir Rahman b Mohammad Saifuddin 34 (26b 5x4 1x6) SR: 130.76
Masakdza comes down the track but Saifuddin follows him. The batsman slaps the ball hard but it only goes to mid off where Sabbir Rahman takes a brilliant diving catch.
Fizz dismisses Ervine
[Wicket] 6.4, Zim 51/2: CR Ervine c Mosaddek Hossain b Mustafizur Rahman 11 (14b 1x4 0x6) SR: 78.57
Craig Ervine went for a pull off a Mustafizur Rahman delivery but mistimes it and Mosaddek Hossain, who is at deep midwicket takes an easy catch. Zimbabwe lose their second.
Taijul removes Taylor early
[Wicket] 1.1, Zim 7/1: BRM Taylor c Mahmudullah b Taijul Islam 6 (5b 1x4 0x6) SR: 120.00
A tossed up delivery around middle and off and Brendan Taylor goes for a slog sweep. He gets a top edge as the ball goes up in the air and Mahmudullah Riyad takes an easy catch at short third man. Taijul, who is on debut takes wicket with his first ball in the format and gives Tigers their first breakthrough.
Tigers opt to field after the match was reduced to 18 overs-a-side
Bangladesh skipper Shakib Al Hasan has won the toss and elected to field first in their triangular T20I series opener against Zimbabwe at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium today.
The match has hwoever been reduced to 18-overs-a-side. The toss will take place at 7:45 pm and the match is scheduled to start at 8:00 pm. The match was originally scheduled to start at 6:30 pm but wet outfield due to overnight and early morning shower delayed the start of the play.
Playing XI:
Bangladesh: Liton Das, Soumya Sarkar, Shakib Al Hasan (Cap), Mushfiqur Rahim, Mahmudullah Riyad, Mosaddek Hossain, Sabbir Rahman, Afif Hossain, Mohammad Saifuddin, Taijul Islam and Mustafizur Rahman.
Zimbabwe: Ryan Burl, Brendan Taylor, Hamilton Masakadza, Craig Ervine, Sean Williams, Timycen Maruma, Tinotenda Mutombodzi, Tony Munyonga, Neville Madziva, Kyle Jarvis and Tendai Chatara
Match reduced to 18 overs-a-side
7:40 pm: It will be an 18 overs-a-side game and the toss will take place at 7:45 pm and the match is scheduled to start at 8:00 pm. The match was originally scheduled to start at 6:30 pm but wet outfield due to overnight and early morning shower delayed the start of the play.
6:23 pm: This is just in and its not a good news for the fans who are waiting in the gallery for the match to be started. The toss has been delayed further, although it has not been raining for a while now. After an initial inspection at 6:15 pm, it now has been announced that the next inspection will be at 7:00 pm.
The toss of the opening match of the triangular T20I series between Bangladesh and Zimbabwe has been delayed due to wet outfield. The next inspection will be at 6:15 pm.
The groundsmen are putting in some last minute work to get the field prepared while some of the Bangladesh players are seen warmig themselves up with some football practice ahead of the match.
Although it has been a while since rain has stopped, but overnight and early morning drizzle, has delayed the start of the play between Bangladesh and Zimbabwe today. Bangladesh, who were humiliated by Afghanistan in their one-off Test in Chattogram, will be looking to get back to winning ways with a victory against Zimbabwe -- a side who are ranked four place lower than the 10th placed Bangladesh.
Meanwhile, after a fallout with ICC, Zimbabwe will be geared up to up get back to some cricketing action.
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