Bangladesh pace bowler Shoriful Islam produced an impressive spell of 4-44 to help dismiss Zimbabwe for 199 in 48.1 overs in the third and final one-day international at Harare Sports Club on Saturday.
After winning the toss, Bangladesh captain Mehidy Hasan Miraz chose to field first, and his bowlers made the most of the conditions with a disciplined display.
Although Zimbabwe had already secured the three-match series with victories in the opening two fixtures, the hosts struggled to build substantial partnerships after losing early wickets.
Wessly Madhevere led Zimbabwe’s resistance with a fluent 75 from 74 deliveries, combining positive stroke play with quick running between the wickets. Brad Evans then provided valuable late-order runs, striking an unbeaten 50 from 43 balls to lift the home side to a competitive total after they had been under pressure for much of the innings.
Zimbabwe rested regular captain Richard Ngarava and leading fast bowler Blessing Muzarabani after sealing the series, while Bangladesh made two changes to their side.
Mohammad Saifuddin returned for his first ODI appearance since 2021 after replacing the injured Mustafizur Rahman in the squad, and Tanvir Islam came in for Rishad Hossain. Fast bowler Nahid Rana was left out.
Bangladesh made an ideal start through Shoriful and Taskin Ahmed. Ben Curran, who scored a century in the previous match, managed only two before a delivery from Shoriful deflected onto his stumps. Taskin then removed Brian Bennett for six as Zimbabwe slipped to 17-2 inside the opening seven overs.
Saifuddin kept the pressure on with a controlled opening spell, conceding just eight runs from his first five overs while finding movement through the air and off the surface.
Shoriful struck again to dismiss Craig Ervine for five, caught behind by Nurul Hasan, leaving Zimbabwe on 27-3.
Madhevere responded with an enterprising innings to rebuild the hosts’ total, sharing a steady partnership with Innocent Kaia. However, Taskin broke the stand by forcing Kaia, who scored 25 from 67 balls, into a catch at square leg.
Zimbabwe’s hopes of accelerating were further dented when Sikandar Raza fell for 11 after miscuing a slower delivery from Tanvir Islam, with Saifuddin completing the catch. Shoriful then claimed his third wicket by removing Clive Madande for one, again finding the edge through to wicketkeeper Nurul Hasan.
Despite the regular setbacks, Evans played positively in the closing overs to ensure Zimbabwe approached the 200-run mark, giving the home side something to defend as Bangladesh began their pursuit of victory.
