𝗭𝗶𝗺𝗯𝗮𝗯𝘄𝗲 𝗳𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝘀𝗵𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝗮𝘀 𝗕𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗹𝗮𝗱𝗲𝘀𝗵 𝗹𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹 𝗧𝟮𝟬𝗜 𝘀𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗕𝘂𝗹𝗮𝘄𝗮𝘆𝗼

Zimbabwe will head into a winner-takes-all third T20 International after Bangladesh claimed a 34-run victory in the second match of the series at Queens Sports Club on Friday.

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The visitors bounced back from defeat in the opening game to level the three-match series at 1-1, leaving everything to play for in the decider.

The Chevrons were set a target of 187 after Bangladesh posted 186 for five, but Zimbabwe’s run chase never gathered enough momentum as they were dismissed for 152 with two balls remaining.

Zimbabwe will look back at missed opportunities in the field after dropping six catches during Bangladesh’s innings. Those costly mistakes allowed opening batters Saif Hassan and Tanzid Hasan to dominate, putting together a superb 120-run partnership that placed the visitors firmly in control.

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Saif made 55 while Tanzid added 58 before Zimbabwe’s bowlers staged a strong comeback.

Richard Ngarava was Zimbabwe’s standout performer with the ball, finishing with figures of 2 for 23 as the hosts reduced Bangladesh from 137 without loss to 158 for five. However, Mohammad Saifuddin changed the course of the innings by smashing four successive sixes in the final over to push Bangladesh to a formidable total.

Zimbabwe’s response got off to the worst possible start as wickets fell regularly inside the powerplay.

Brian Bennett, Tadiwanashe Marumani and Dion Myers were all dismissed cheaply, leaving the middle order with plenty of work to do.

Captain Sikandar Raza tried to revive the innings with an aggressive 28 from 12 balls before Ryan Burl battled hard for his 29. Brad Evans and Tashinga Musekiwa also contributed late on, but Bangladesh’s bowlers maintained control throughout the chase.

The visitors’ spin duo of Mahedi Hasan and Rishad Hossain proved too difficult to handle. Mahedi claimed three wickets, while Rishad finished with four to ensure Bangladesh wrapped up victory comfortably.

Despite the defeat, Zimbabwe still have everything to play for. Having won the opening match, the Chevrons now have another chance to secure the series when the two teams meet in the deciding third T20 International.

With the series evenly poised, both sides will enter the final match knowing that one more victory will be enough to claim the series.