Bangladesh have won the 3rd ODI from Zimbabwe by 7 wickets and 84 balls to spare from the innings. Bangladesh produced their best performance of the ODI series to defeat Zimbabwe comfortably in the third and final match. The visitors chased down a modest target with ease, preventing a series whitewash, although Zimbabwe still claimed the series 2-1.
After struggling with the bat in the opening two matches Bangladesh finally delivered a complete performance to finish the tour on a positive note.
Having already secured the series, Zimbabwe made several changes to their playing XI and rested both of their frontline fast bowlers.
The hosts however endured another difficult start with the bat.
Bangladesh’s pace attack struck early once again reducing Zimbabwe to 27 for 3 and putting the home side under immediate pressure.
Wessly Madhevere responded with a composed innings of 75 to rebuild the innings. He received valuable support from Brad Evans who continued his impressive form with another useful contribution.
The pair helped Zimbabwe recover from the early setbacks but Bangladesh’s bowlers kept taking wickets at regular intervals.
The hosts were eventually bowled out for 199 leaving themselves with another below-par total to defend.
Bangladesh’s decision to bowl first paid off for the third straight ODI.
The pace bowlers made excellent use of the new ball and removed Zimbabwe’s top order before they could settle.
Although Madhevere and Evans staged a brief recovery Bangladesh maintained pressure throughout the innings and prevented the hosts from building any major partnerships.
The disciplined bowling effort once again laid the platform for the chase.
Unlike the previous matches Bangladesh’s batting finally matched the quality of their bowling.
Openers Tanzid Hasan and Soumya Sarkar produced an outstanding partnership giving the visitors complete control from the beginning.
The pair shared Bangladesh’s first century opening stand in nine One-Day Internationals.
Tanzid played aggressively from the outset finding boundaries regularly and putting Zimbabwe’s bowlers under pressure.
At the other end Soumya settled into his innings before playing several elegant strokes on his way to 69.
Their partnership effectively ended Zimbabwe’s hopes of defending the target.
With victory within touching distance, Tanzid looked set to complete a deserved century.
However needing only a few runs to seal the win he attempted a big shot while on 94 and was dismissed just short of the milestone.
Bangladesh also lost another wicket before crossing the finish line but the outcome was never in doubt.
The visitors reached the target with 14 overs remaining completing one of their most comfortable victories of the tour.
Although Zimbabwe could not complete a clean sweep the hosts still walked away with the ODI series by a 2-1 margin.
Their victories in the opening two matches highlighted the team’s growing confidence and ability to perform under pressure.
For Bangladesh the 3rd ODI against Zimbabwe offered much-needed encouragement. The bowling unit remained consistent throughout the series, while the batting lineup finally delivered the complete performance that had been missing in the earlier defeats.
The result gave Bangladesh a positive finish to the tour while Zimbabwe celebrated another successful ODI series on home soil.