By Sports Correspondent
Bangladesh clinched the three-match T20 International series 2-1 after defeating Zimbabwe in a tense decider in Bulawayo, denying Sikandar Raza a memorable victory in his record-breaking 314th international appearance.
The visitors bounced back after losing the opening match to secure their first T20I series win of 2026, capping a successful turnaround with a composed chase that saw them reach the target with two balls to spare.
Raza became Zimbabwe’s most-capped international cricketer across all formats, surpassing previous records with his 314th appearance, but the landmark was overshadowed by Bangladesh’s series-clinching victory.
Zimbabwe posted a modest total after their batting faltered in the closing stages. The hosts looked set for a stronger finish after Brian Bennett and Dion Myers shared a crucial 71-run partnership for the second wicket.
Myers was the standout performer with a well-crafted half-century – his third in T20 internationals – accounting for more than half of Zimbabwe’s total. However, little support came from the middle order, with none of the remaining batters reaching double figures.
Bangladesh’s seam attack proved decisive. Mohammad Saifuddin claimed two key wickets late in the innings, while Taskin Ahmed delivered an outstanding final over that restricted Zimbabwe to just 25 runs for the loss of four wickets in the last four overs.
Chasing the target, Bangladesh opener Tanzid Hasan anchored the innings with another match-winning half-century after also starring in the One Day International series. He built solid partnerships with Parvez Hossain Emon and Towhid Hridoy before reaching his 13th T20I fifty, moving level with Shakib Al Hasan for the second-most 50-plus scores by a Bangladeshi batter in the format.
Although Zimbabwe’s pace trio of Richard Ngarava, Blessing Muzarabani and Brad Evans kept the contest alive with disciplined bowling, the remainder of the attack struggled to contain Bangladesh’s batters.
The match went down to the final over, with Evans striking twice to briefly raise Zimbabwe’s hopes. However, Bangladesh held their nerve as Mehidy Hasan struck the boundary that sealed victory and the series.
Despite losing the T20I series, Zimbabwe can take positives from Bangladesh’s tour after winning the one-off Test match and claiming the ODI series 2-1.
Attention now shifts to Zimbabwe’s upcoming T20I series against India, with concerns lingering over the middle-order batting after another collapse in the series decider.
