Ban v Zim 2nd T20I Review: Sabbir Rahman stars in a Bangladesh win

Sabbir Rahman once again started for the home side as it took a 2-0 lead in the T20I series against Zimbabwe. An unchanged Bangladesh opted to bat in the second T20I against Zimbabwe in Khulna at the Sheikh Abu Naser Stadium even as the visitors made three changes to their line-up.

Hamilton Masakadza was named captain in the absence of Elton Chigumbura who was given a break while Sikandar Raza and Luke Jongwe sat out as Zimbabwe chose to give the other players in the squad a game with the World T20 in mind. Wicketkeeper Richmond Mutumbami was picked along with the pace pair of Taurai Muzarabani and Neville Madziva. Tendai Chisoro and Chamu Chibhabha could not find a place in the XI.

Soumya Sarkar looked in good touch and struck the ball well from the start. Tamim Iqbal also looked good however dismissed for 23 off 17 by Muzarabani in the 6^th over with the score on 45. While Sarkar made 43 off 33, Sabbir Rahman continued his brilliant form from the last game and also scored an unbeaten 43 off 30 balls. Both these batsmen hammered 3 sixes each and kept the run-rate high for their team.

Rahman shared a 52-run stand with Mushfiqur Rahim (24 off 20) before the latter got retired hurt. Shakib Al Hasan made 27 off 17 balls including 2 fours and 1 six helping his team post 167/3. Zimbabwean pace bowlers bowled much better in the slog overs while the spinners kept things tight in the middle overs. Muzarabani, Wellington Masakadza and Cremer chipped a wicket apiece.

The Zimbabwean openers started well and put on 50 for the first wicket before Vusi Sibanda was dismissed for 21 off 17 by Mashrafe Mortaza. What hurt the visitors’ cause the most was the wicket of skipper Masakadza. The right-hander failed to kick on after making 30 off 28 balls.

The wickets of Sean Williams and Mutumbami reduced the visitors to 68/4 in 10.4 overs as the run-chase became almost impossible. Malcolm Waller made 29 off 21, however, ran out of support as other batsmen were dismissed for single digits. Zimbabwe finished on a disappointing 125/8 and never looked in the run-chase after the wicket of their skipper. Mustafizur Rahman finished with two wickets while Rahman bowled a brilliant spell of 3/11 for the home side.

Brief Scores:

Bangladesh: 167/3 in 20 overs (S Rahman 43*, S Sarkar 43; A Cremer 1/29)

Zimbabwe: 125/8 in 20 overs (H Masakadza 30; S Rahman 3/11)

Bangladesh won by 42 runs

Man of the match:  Sabbir Rahman (Bangladesh)