Bangladesh was a hot favorite but Zimbabwe has made upsets as they have beaten the teams like India, and Pakistan in the past. After losing the first match, the Zimbabweans came motivated and lost Marumani quickly but Wesley Madhevere kept going from one end. Chakabva who was impressive thus far in the series got out cheaply this time around and then came Dion Mayers. He and Madhevere kept founding the fence and looked like Zimbabwe will have a score of around 170 marks.
Bangladesh came back as they first sent Myers into the hut and then some poor running and good fielding resulted in Zimbabwe losing their captain Sikander Raza on 4. Then came the big-hitting Ryan Burl. Ryan burl started off slowly as he was more intent in giving his partner the strike but Madheveregot out in the 18th over and Zimbabwe looked like will finish with the same scoreline as the first match.
Ryan Burl though had some other plans as he hit some big sixes and made sure that his team has something to fight for as Zimbabwe managed to get 166 of their 20. The score was always going to be challenging as Muzarbani is in prime form and just needed some support from his fellow mates. Zimbabwe started well but Muzarbani came in the third over and got rid of both the openers and dented Bangladesh’s chase. Mahedi Hasan never looked comfortable in the middle and that forced an error from Shakib who got out in getting up the run rate.
The hero of the evening though was Wellington Masakadza who got Mahedi Hasan and Mahmudullah in the same over and it was more or less certain that Bangladesh can never catch up in this match. Afif Hossain and Shamim Hossain played a cameo but it was too little too late by then.
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Luke Jongwe went for runs but picked up 3 crucial wickets to make sure that Bangladesh is always behind the 8th ball. However, it was Wellington who was their star bowler as he got rid of the Bangladeshi captain at a stage where the game could have gone either way. Zimbabwe has never won a T20I series against Bangladesh and they will feel that they are in with a chance.
Bangladesh rested some of their key players and we might see the return of Mustafizur Rahman in the final game. The series is now evenly poised and the final is scheduled on Sunday. It would be another crackerjack of a match as we have India vs Sri Lank’s series beginning this Sunday. The change of fortunes for Zimbabwe cricket lies in the final match and hope they come out all guns blazing to get some respite from the fans.
