Zim A lose series

Sports Reporter
ZIMBABWE A failed to recover from their opening loss at the hands of Bangladesh A yesterday, when they suffered a 36-run defeat allowing the tourists to win the series after taking a 2-0 lead in the unofficial cricket competition yesterday. The third and final unofficial ODI is set for tomorrow at Harare Sports Club.

Winning the toss and putting Bangladesh in first, Zimbabwe restricted the tourists to 282-6 in their allotted 50 overs, but it proved a mountain for the Zimbabwe development side who fell short to 246-9 in their allotted 50 overs.

Half centuries for Zimbabwe A from Brian Chari and Tino Mutombodzi and a good spell with the ball earlier in the morning — the best for the day — came to nought as Bangladesh A continued with their dominance over a team that is perceived to be the future stars of Zimbabwe cricket.

It was a rather better performance from the Zimbabwe batting line-up compared to the opener where they were rattled for 112 inside 37 overs on Monday and despite showing moments of brilliance with the bat Zimbabwe once again fell short.

Mutombodzi’s 57 (off 59 balls with seven fours) added weight to Zimbabwe’s chance before Goodwill Mhayiyo (46 off 54) at six was unfortunate as he was run out following miscommunication with Brian Vitori who was at the stoker’s end. Chari’s long stand at the crease came to an end in the 35th over when he was caught by Mohammad Shahib off Taijul Islam as he tried a shot down the track to long on but it lacked the distance, Mutombodzi going out in pretty much the same way after he was caught by Taijul off Muktar Ali.

Mhayiyo was dropped at deep square leg after he pulled into the air and was fortunate that the hit event went for a four off Muktar Ali and he stayed on to post an additional 40 runs curiosity ensuring he departed the crease four runs shot of a half century.

However, the trio’s efforts with the bat were not well supported by the rest of the team, and this was the major difference with the Asians who covered up for their bowling frailties with a better batting performance. Tauijul Islam (2/27) and Muktar Ali (2/55) both claimed two wickets each in their allotted 10 overs while four other bowlers got a wicket each. And it was in the morning that Bangladesh set up a good platform for their win, doing a lot of their work, half centuries coming from Mohammad Mithun with a slow 66 off 91 (five fours and two sixes) and an unbeaten 50 that came of 39 deliveries from Mosaddek Hossain (with six fours).