Sikandar Raza’s golden run continues as Zimbabwe sink Bangladesh in 2nd ODI

Zimbabwe won by five wickets against Bangladesh in the second ODI in Harare on August 7, Sunday, and also clinched the three-match series, taking an unassailable 2-0 lead. The hosts chased down a target of 291, courtesy of centuries from Sikandar Raza and skipper Regis Chakabva.

Zimbabwe won the toss and put Tamim Iqbal’s men to bat first. Bangladesh started brightly, scoring 62 runs in the 10-over powerplay without losing a wicket. The Bangla skipper played a useful hand at the top with 50 runs off 45 balls. Najmul Hossain Shanto contributed with 38 runs off 55 balls.

But it was the sixth-wicket pairing of Afif Hossain and Mahmudullah that made the difference for the Bangla Tigers. Afif departed after scoring 41 runs in as many balls, and Mahmudullah, on the other end, remained unbeaten on 80 runs off 84 balls and took the Asian side to 290 in 50 overs.

Sikandar Raza’s all-round show hands Zimbabwe a famous series win

The pick of the Zimbabwean bowlers was their star all-rounder Raza, who picked up three wickets for 56 runs in 10 overs. Off-spinner Wessly Madhevere also played his part, scalping two wickets for only 40 runs in nine overs. Zimbabwe’s chase was not particularly ideal as they lost their first wicket in the first over and the second in the third over.

They were later reduced to 27 for the loss of three wickets after eight overs and 49 for four wickets in 15 overs. As it almost seemed impossible for the hosts to stay in the game, the fifth-wicket partnership of Raza and Chakabva came to their rescue. It added 201 runs and completely turned the tide in Zimbabwe’s favour.

The Zimbabwe skipper scored 102 runs off 75 balls and was dismissed, with the side needing 41 runs in as many balls and five wickets in hand. The match was well within their grasp even when Chakabva walked back to the pavilion. Raza continued his golden run with the bat and scored a magnificent 117* off 127 balls and brought up his second century of the series. Tony Munyonga, along with Raza, took the match home, scoring an unbeaten 30 off 16 balls, completing the chase in 47.3 overs.