Mosaddek, Liton shine as Tigers keep T20 series alive

NEWS DESK

Mosaddek Hossain Saikat’s career-best 5-20 was complemented by Liton Das’s fluent 56 as Bangladesh romped to a seven-wicket victory over Zimbabwe in the second T20 to level the three-match series 1-1 at Harare Sports Club today, Sunday, July 31, 2022.

Mosaddek  – who became only fourth Bangladeshi bowler to take five-wicket haul after Elias Sunny, Mustafizur Rahman and Shakib Al Hasan – bowled four straight overs to take those five wickets, which was instrumental in limiting the hosts to 135-8 in a batting paradise. Liton’s sixth half-century then helped Bangladesh knock off the target with 15 balls to spare.

His 33-ball-innings was studded by six fours and two sixes. Afif Hossain and Najmul Hossain Shanto, who added 55-run in the undefeated fourth wicket stand to sail the side home, were not out on 30 and 19 runs respectively.

Liton however gave Bangladesh the fluent start as the side is seeking a victory to keep the series alive following their 17-run defeat in the first game. But Bangladesh received a setback when Munim Shahrair was out for 7.

Liton, accompanied by Anamul, kept the side rolling and brought some signature stroke from his repertoire to stun the hosts’ bowlers. But he was dismissed against the play when Sean Williams trapped him leg-before.

Soon after, Sikandar Raza got the better of Anamul as he scored 16 but Afif and Shanto helped the side canter to the victory.

Just 24 hours ago at this venue, Zimbabwe posted 205-3 and went on to win the first game in comprehensive manner.

Sikandar Raza, who helped Zimbabwe to propel past 200 runs in the first match with a whirlwind 26 ball-65 not out, stood tall once again after the carnage of Mosaddek.

He struck 62 off 53, hitting four fours and two sixes and was the reason that Zimbabwe could go past 100 runs mark.

Ryan Burl, who scored 32, was the only other batter to reach double digit mark for Zimbabwe.

Raza and Burl added 80-run for the sixth wicket stand after Zimbabwe were reduced to 31-5 in seventh over, courtesy to a wily off-spin of Mosaddek.

Fast bowlers Hasan Mahmud and Mustafizur Rahman took one wicket apiece.

Zimbabwe skipper Craig Ervine predictably opted to bat first after winning the toss and expected that the things would go like the first T20. But Mosaddek interrupted as he came up with intriguing variations to his bowling to stun the hosts.

He struck twice in the first over, dismissing Regis Chakabva for first ball-duck and took out Wessly Madhevere (4) in the last ball. Madhevere with 67 was the highest scorer for Zimbabwe in the last game.

There was no respite for Zimbabwe as Mosaddek forced the local side’s top order fall like a pack of cards. His victim included captain Ervine (1), Sean Williams (8) and Milton Shumba (3).

After his bowling quota was completed, Zimbabwe got some relief as Raza and Burl took the side past 100 before Hasan Mahmud, one of the two changes of Bangladesh for this match, came up with another strike to dismiss Burl who hit three boundaries for his 31 ball-32.

Raza’s brilliant knock came at the penultimate over as he was dismissed by Mustafizur Rahman trying to accelerate the innings. Luke Jongwe and Wellington Masakadza then propelled the side past 130.