Mahmudullah’s vital breakthrough
Zimbabwe were cruising nicely after being invited to bat first by Bangladesh captain Mashrafe bin Mortaza. Despite losing the wicket of Hamilton Masakadza early, the visitors were 147 for 2 after 29 overs. Experienced batsman Brendan Taylor was batting nicely along with Sean Williams. Taylor formed a 52-run partnership with opener Cephas Zhuwao in the second wicket before adding 77-runs in the third wicket with Williams. Then, Mahmudullah took the important wicket of Taylor in the third ball of 30th over. Taylor tried to reverse sweep against the off-spinner Mahmudullah and was trapped in front as the partnership breaker Mahmudullah struck and Bangladesh got a much needed breakthrough. Taylor departed for 75 off 73 balls after hitting nine boundaries and one six. Losing Taylor on such a crucial moment of the innings held Zimbabwe back and eventually they could manage only 246 for seven in 50 overs, on a relatively good batting pitch.
Fazle Mahmud scores a duck, yet again
Newcomer Fazle Mahmud had the worst possible start in his international batting career as he scored back-to-back ducks in his first two ODIs against Zimbabwe. The left-hander played just five balls before being stumped on zero by Zimbabwe wicketkeeper Brendan Taylor against the bowling of off-spinner Sikandar Raza. Fazle came to crease in the 26th over as number three batsman after Bangladesh lost opener Liton Kumar Das (83 off 77 balls) got out. During the fifth ball of the over Fazle charged down the ground and missed the flight of the ball. Taylor fumbled to gather the ball slightly but later dislodged the bails while Fazle was agonizingly short of returning to the crease. Fazle also got out without scoring in the first ODI on Sunday. The 30-year old’s contribution as a batsman is his debut series is zero runs in nine deliveries so far.
