BAN VS ZIM 5TH T20I

Right then that's it from the T20I series between Bangladesh and Zimbabwe. The hosts clinch the series 4-1 with the visitors winning the final T20I. More cricketing action awaits us all with the Indian T20 league entering its business end. Zimbabwe will go home and prepare for the series against India which is scheduled after the T20 World Cup while Bangladesh will face the United States of America in a three-match series that begins in a couple of weeks from now. Until next time, cheers, and have a safe time around.

Taskin Ahmed is the Player of the Series for his 8 wickets.

Brian Bennett is the Player of the Match for his sublime 70 runs and 2 wickets with the ball. He says it was a great effort by the entire team and they are happy to win this game. Adds that the side is still young and the team management and the skipper has backed them tremendously. Ends by stating that they will be looking to put up similar results and win a lot more in the future.

Najmul Hossain Shanto, the Bangladesh skipper says that there are plenty of areas to improve. Adds that he is happy with the runs from Mahmudullah and Jaker Ali. Mentions that they did not start well today but the middle order stepped up and did a decent job. Ends by saying that they have three more games to prepare before the mega event and they are looking forward to it.

Sikandar Raza, the Zimbabwe skipper, says that he is happy to go home with a win. Adds that they came close in the last two matches but the young players stood up and did the job. Shares that it’s good to contribute toward success and it gives him immense pleasure. Ends by saying that they lost the series 4-1 but they have a lot of positives as the future looks bright for their side.

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Earlier in the game, Bangladesh were off to a sloppy start with a couple of wicket maidens and the side being pinned back after being 3 down for just 15. Mahmudullah and Najmul Hossain Shanto played well to negate the threat of a below-par total on board. Shakib Al Hasan played a good hand as well but it was a quick-fire cameo from Jaker Ali that helped the side get past 150. Bowling from Zimbabwe was top-notch for the majority of the game with Blessing Muzarabani and Brian Bennett being the best bowlers by picking up a couple each.

Bowling from Bangladesh wasn't good as the bowlers leaked runs all around the park. The track got better to bat on as the game progressed and the bowlers had no assistance from the surface. Shakib Al Hasan and Mohammad Saifuddin took a wicket each and nothing more happened in favor of them. Bangladesh will be happy with the overall result of the series but will need to address a few areas before flying for the mega event.

Chasing down a tricky total on this track, Zimbabwe were off to a flying start thanks to a brilliant display of counterattack by Brian Bennett. Tadiwanashe Marumani struggled to even rotate the strike and eventually fell on 1. The side scored 41 in the powerplay out of which 37 were scored by Brian Bennett. Sikandar Raza took his time in the beginning and then exploded on the Bangladesh bowlers. Brian Bennett and Sikandar Raza added a crucial 75 for the second wicket. After the dismissal of Brian Bennett it was Raza along with Johnathan Campbell, finishing the game with a partnership of 45 in just 20 deliveries. Brian Bennett played a solid knock of 70. Sikandar Raza played a captain's knock and was unbeaten on 72 despite not being fully fit physically. Zimbabwe will be pleased to end the tour on a high.

Zimbabwe finally shows up and wins this game by 8 wickets and stops Bangladesh from inflicting a series sweep on them.

Zimbabwe gets a consolation win! Flatter, around off. Johnathan Campbell backs away and stabs into the off-side for a single. Zimbabwe win by 8 wickets and chase down the target with nine balls to spare. The visitors avoid the whitewash and Sikandar Raza looks like a relieved man.

Arm ball, on middle. Campbell gets an inside edge toward short fine leg.

FOUR! BANG! Pitched full and at the stumps. Campbell whips it to the deep mid-wicket region for a thumping boundary. The scores are tied now.

Zimbabwe are just 5 runs away from the win.

FOUR! 19 runs off the over! Short of a length, angling down the leg. Raza gets across and helps it toward the deep square leg region. Beats the fielder in the deep and races to the ropes.

SIX MORE! Raza is taking Zimbabwe home! Pitched full, around off. Raza lifts it over the wide long-off region and gets another biggie.

SIX! SMOKED! On a length, outside off. Raza picks the length early and nails the pull shot. Sails over the deep mid-wicket fence for a huge 99-meter hit.