Zimbabwe scored a nail-biting victory over Bangladesh to take an unassailable 3-0 lead in the five-match ODI series, at the Harare Sports Club, on Tuesday.
Put in to bat, they put up 250 for seven, and then dismissed Bangladesh 245.
They clinched victory with four balls to spare, the final Bangladesh wicket coming off a catch on the boundary when only six runs were left to score.
A fine 101 off 100 balls by Mushfiqur Rahim in a gallant attempt to get Bangladesh home was almost lost in the excitement. It was his first in internationals and he simply needed a good partner to achieve victory.
"This was absolutely awesome, the most exhilarating match of my life and the most dramatic for all Zimbabweans," said Zimbabwe captain Brendan Taylor.
"I was never sure we had enough with our 250 runs effort and so it almost proved. It just shows that you never know in cricket. I am really proud of the team for sticking to their guns, not just in this match but for the entire tour so far."
Scorecard
Zimbabwe:
B. Taylor c Siddique b S. Hossain 4
V. Sibanda c Kayes b R. Hossain 27
H. Masakadza b R. Hossain 74
T. Taibu c R. Hossain b Nazimul Hossain 83
C. Ervine st Rahim b Mahmudullah 18
E. Chigumbura c R. Hossain b S. Al Hassan 31
F. Mtizwa lbw b S. Al Hassan 2
P. Utseya not out 4
K. Jarvis not out 1
Extras: (1b, 2lb, 3w) 6
Total: (7 wkts, 50 overs) 250
Fall of wickets: 1-14, 2-39, 3-181, 4-206, 5-217, 6-245, 7-245.
Bowling: S. Islam 10-2-40-1, R. Hossain 10-0-41-2, Nazimul Hossain 9-1-34-1, Nasir Hossain 6-0-37-0, Mahmudullah 9-1-49-1, S. Al Hassan 6-0-46-2.
Bangladesh:
T. Iqbal run out (Utseya) 44
I. Kayes lbw b Utseya 16
J. Siddique c and b Utseya 12
M. Rahim not out 101
S. Al Hassan c and b Utseya 19
S. Hom run out (Vitori) 22
Mahmudullah c Masakadza b Vitori 14
Nasir Hossain not out 0
S. Islam b Jarvis 1
R. Hossain b Jarvis 0
Nazimul Hossain not out 0
Extras: (4lb, 2w) 6
Total: 245 (all out , 49,2 overs) 245
Fall of wickets: 1-50, 2-66, 3-91, 4-124, 5-183, 6-229, 7-229, 8-235, 9-245.
Bowling: Vitori 10-1-45-1, Jarvis 10-0-52-2, Mpofu 9.2-1-43-2, Utseya 10-1-47-3, Masakadza 4-0-17-0, Chigumbura 6-0-37-0.
