Taylor-Williams resistance
Zimbabwe made a shaky start as they lost two quick wickets within first three overs. Opener Cepha Zhuwao and the experienced Hamilton Masakadza both departed within just 16 balls of the innings and Zimbabwe were under pressure. But Brendan Taylor and Sean Williams held firm and steadied the ship. At one stage, the score was seven for two in five overs. Taylor and Sean Williams eventually formed a 132-run partnership for the fourth wicket, building a solid platform for the rest of the batsmen to post a challenging total, despite the early hiccups. The duo also kept the scoreboard ticking along and when the partnership was broken, the scoreboard read 138 in 26.4 overs. Taylor was particularly aggressive among the two as he scored 75 off 73 balls with eight fours and three sixes.
Soumya’s towering back-to-back sixers
Left-hander Soumya Sarker was suddenly included in the squad for the third and final ODI. He was playing in the NCL for Khulna and in the middle of the match, he got called up to the third ODI. And he utilised his chance in grand style with a superb century. Soumya scored 117 off just 92 balls. He came to bat in the second ball of the innings as opener Liton Kumar got out first ball. But Soumya controlled the innings beautifully and did not give any opportunity to the Zimbabwe bowlers. Soumya smashed half a dozen sixes across the park, which was entertaining for the Chittagong crowd at a jam-packed stadium. When he charged down the ground for towering sixers over mid-wicket and long-on, he showed his ability as a natural stroke maker. His whole innings was a kind of highlights of the game. Bangladesh camp must be very happy to see Soumya score big and get back among the runs. Credit also goes to Imrul Kayes who gave Soumya perfect support from the other end. Soumya and Imrul added 220 for the second wicket, Bangladesh’s highest in the format.
