DHAKA, Nov 26, 2014 (BSS)- Double delights for the Tigers as after the Test motivated Bangladesh also clinched the ODI series with two matches in hand beating visiting Zimbabwe by 124 runs in the third ODI of the Bashundhara Cement five-match ODI series held on Wednesday at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium at Mirpur.
Chasing a massive winning target of 297 runs set by Bangladesh, Zimbabwe found the chase stiff and dismissed at a paltry total of 173 in 39.5 overs.
Speedster Mashrafe Mortaza threatened early inroad on Zimbabwe innings removing two Zimbabwe openers – Hamilton Masakadza (12) and Vusi Sibanda (9) in the 22 runs of the score board.
Rubel Hossain joined the party as he picked up the next wicket of Timycen Maruma, putting Zimbabwe in a deep trouble.
However, Zimbabwean skipper Elton Chigumbura offered some resistance scoring an unbeaten 53 runs, but it merely reduced the gap of their defeat, as Zimbabwe were never in any position to come back in the match.
Zimbabwe needed a solid partnership to chase the big total but they lost wickets in regular intervals in the face of tight bowling attacks by the Tigers, especially Arafat Sunny.
Brendon Taylor (28) was the other notable batsman for the visitors.
Arafat Sunny caused the major damage for Zimbabwe taking four wickets for 27 runs while Rubel Hossain and Mashrafe Mortaza bagged two wickets each giving away 22 and 24 runs respectively.
Promising batsman Anamul Haque of Bangladesh was named the player of the match for his brilliant batting performance on the day.
Earlier, Bangladesh, rode on a strong opening stand by Anamul Haque and Tamim Iqbal, piled up a massive total of 297 for 6 from their allotted 50 overs against Zimbabwe.
Thanks to Anamul Haque and Tamim Iqbal for their impressive batting that helped the Tigers to make a solid start contributing 121 runs for the opening stand, after Bangladesh was forced to bat first by Zimbabwe.
Opener Anamul who played a magnificent knock of 95 runs, narrowly missed the century as he fell nervous nineties giving an easy catch to Hamilton Masakadza off Tafadzwa Kamungozi delivery in the 36th over of the match.
He smashed nine boundaries during his 120-ball stay on the crease after his partner Tamim Iqbal, who scored 40 runs, laid a solid platform for Bangladesh, fell victim of run out in the 26th over of the match.
The Bangladesh innings saw some cracking knocks by Shakib Al Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim, Mahmudullha and Sabbir Hossain.
Came down in the field the ace all rounder Shakib Al Hasan formed an aggressive mood as he smashed 33-ball off 40 runs hitting five boundaries while Mushfiqur Rahim smashed 22-ball off 33 runs with the help of three boundaries and one towering over boundary.
Later, all rounder Mahmudullah and Sabbir Rahman added a blistering 46 runs partnership for the 6th wickets stand that to take the team’s total to a near about 300 runs. Sabbir cracked 13-ball off 22 runs with three boundaries while Mahmudullah added 33 runs to remain unbeaten till the end of the innings along with Mashrafe Mortaza (2n.o).
Mahmudullah hammered five boundaries during his 26-ball stay on the crease.
Tinashe Panyangara appeared the best Zimbabwe bowler with two wickets for 54 runs. He was well supported by Neville Madziva, Tafadzwa Kamungozi and Hamilton Masakadza, who bagged one wicket apiece.
The fourth and fifth ODIs between the two sides will be held on November 28 and December 1 respectively at the same venue.
Earlier, Bangladesh whitewashed the Zimbabwe in the three-match Test series.