Ben Curran's century powers Zimbabwe to series-clinching victory over Bangladesh

Zimbabwe once again registered a thrilling 13-run victory against Bangladesh in the second ODI on Thursday, July 9, at Harare Sports Club, Harare, to take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series. After being put in to bat first, Zimbabwe posted a decent score of 247/6 in their allotted 50 overs, riding on a splendid century from Ben Curran, while Brad Evans (58* off 38) also made a valuable half-century.

For Bangladesh, captain Mehidy Hasan Miraz (2/32) and Taskin Ahmed (2/57) picked up two wickets each. In reply, the hosts were bundled out for 234 in 48.1 overs, despite half-centuries from Tanzid Hasan Tamim (57 off 70) and Towhid Hridoy (60 off 90).

For Zimbabwe, captain Richard Ngarava once again led from the front with a three-wicket haul, while Brad Evans (2/48) and Blessing Muzarabani (2/33) also scalped two wickets each. As a result, Zimbabwe clinched their second successive ODI series victory over Bangladesh.

Top run-scorer of the Match

Top wicket-taker of the Match

Player of the Match

Ben Curran was deservedly adjudged Player of the Match for scoring his second ODI hundred. He played a magnificent innings of 111* (135), laced with nine fours. The opening batter rescued Zimbabwe from a precarious position of 66/4 after 16.2 overs, stitching a crucial partnership with Sikandar Raza of 68 runs (95 balls) for the fifth wicket. He further added 99 runs (79 balls) for the seventh wicket with Brad Evans to help his team get to a decent score of 247/6 in their 50 overs.

Turning Point

Bangladesh were cruising in the run chase, being 207/5 after 41.5 overs, needing 41 runs to win off 49 balls. However, Richard Ngarava removed a well-set Nurul Hasan (38 off 41). As he returned to the pavilion, Bangladesh collapsed dramatically, losing five wickets in 38 balls, scoring just 27 runs.

What did the captains say:

Winning Captain, Richard Ngarava (Zimbabwe): 

To be honest, we just said to ourselves, we had a pretty poor first game, so we need to do better. We just got in nicely and scored that, we sort of like had a couple of partnerships, which was nice. Then on to the bowling. I mean, we were always working as a bowling unit, which is quite nice. And like I always say, Zimbabwe, they always find a way. That was quite special, especially from Brad. I give credit to the coaching staff there, to some extent, they're always giving me a rub off their shoulders there for using the sidearm, which is quite nice. And the results are showing again, which is pretty good. You still need to ask the experienced guys and we get to let them know that this is exactly what we're thinking. But at the end of the day, I'm the one who makes the final decision and feel. It's very special to be honest you know, I'm good. I'm going to be happy, I'm going to celebrate this. But of course we still have another game in hand. We still want to play the third game and make sure we get the final one as well.

Losing Captain, Mehidy Hasan Miraz (Bangladesh):

I think we bowled really well the first couple of overs, and we took four wickets. But unfortunately, they got partnership at the last moment. I think they had the 98-run (99 actually) partnership for the 6th wicket. That was very disappointing because we didn't get a wicket nor got a chance. Yes, I think we could do better in a few areas. We have to make partnership in the bowling unit. I think that moment we cannot get a partnership and they batted really well that time. And I hoped that, but we had to take a wicket that time. So if you take a wicket, definitely momentum comes. Yes, I think the wickets looks very good. I think 248 really is very good score. And in the second half, I think ball came easily on to the bat and we batted really well. But we had two partnerships, few areas like the last couple of 10 overs. If we got partnerships, definitely it would have been better. Yes, a little bit dark, but still, still we have very good positive sign with us.