Imrul hits ton again, shatters record
||Desk Report||
Imrul Kayes has picked up his fourth ODI century in the third and final match against Zimbabwe. Bangladesh are now within a touching distance of the 287-run target set by the visiting side, at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chittagong.
The Tigers lost their first wicket before posting any runs on the board as Kyle Jarvis trapped Liton Das lbw. Imrul Kayes and Soumya Sarkar then added 220 runs for the second wicket, which is the highest 2nd-wicket stand for Bangladesh in ODIs and is only second to Shakib Al Hasan and Mahmudullah Riyad's 224-run partnership for the country in the 50-over format.
After scoring 46 runs off 53 balls, Soumya launched an onslaught against the visitors, starting with an over-boundary that took his tally of runs to 52. He made 71 runs off the last 39 deliveries that he faced, before finally getting dismissed by Hamilton Masakadza for 117 runs. The southpaw clubbed nine boundaries and six sixes in his 92-ball innings.
Following Soumya’s departure, Imrul also registered his second ton in the ongoing series. The left-handed batsman has already surpassed Tamim Iqbal's record for the most runs (312) by a Bangladeshi batsman in a three-ODI bilateral series.
Earlier, Bangladesh won the toss and elected to field first. Zimbabwe posted 286 runs in 50 overs, losing five of their wickets
Although Abu Hider and Mohammad Saifuddin started the game well by removing the Zimbabwe openers within the first three overs, Brandon Taylor and Sean Williams restored the innings with a crucial partnership of 132 runs.
Taylor was dismissed for the same score as the last match, against Nazmul Islam this time. His 71-ball innings of 75 runs was laced with eight fours and three sixes.
Following Taylor’s departure, Williams formed another 84-run stand with Sikandar Raza, who later became Nazmul’s second scalp, scoring 40 runs. And before getting run out in the last over, Peter Moor contributed 28 runs a 62-run partnership with Williams.
Williams went on to belt a century and remained unbeaten with 129 runs to his name.
Unlike the last game, Zimbabwe were more composed in their approach in the slog overs as they posted 77 runs in the last 10 overs.
Score
ZIM – 286/5 (50 Overs)
BAN – 246/2 (35 Overs)
Bangladesh need 41 runs in 90 deliveries
Bangladesh (Playing XI): Liton Das, Imrul Kayes, Soumya Sarkar, Mushfiqur Rahim(w), Mohammad Mithun, Mahmudullah, Ariful Haque, Mohammad Saifuddin, Mashrafe Mortaza(c), Abu Hider Rony, Nazmul Islam
Zimbabwe (Playing XI): Hamilton Masakadza(c), Cephas Zhuwao, Brendan Taylor(w), Sean Williams, Sikandar Raza, Peter Moor, Elton Chigumbura, Wellington Masakadza, Donald Tiripano, Kyle Jarvis, Richard Ngarava
