Coventry’s World Record notwithstanding, Bangla seal win

Bulawayo: Zimbabwe`s Charles Coventry equalled the highest individual one-day international score on Sunday, but saw his big-hitting party gatecrashed by Tamim Iqbal as Bangladesh wrapped-up the one-day series here.


Coventry blasted an unbeaten 194 to equal former Pakistan opener Saeed Anwar`s 12-year record, as Zimbabwe piled up 312-8 in their 50 overs, but Bangladesh opener Tamim then hit his country`s highest individual score of 154 as the tourists took victory with 13 balls to spare.

"I was due for a big innings. I was getting good starts but not big hundreds. It would have felt better had I finished the innings," said Tamim.

Coventry praised the tourists for their battling response.

"Well done to the Bangladeshis for the way they chased. We`ll be out there trying the hardest the next time," said the 26-year-old, who was playing in his 15th one-dayer.

He dominated Zimbabwe`s innings with the next highest score a more modest 37.

Coventry hit seven sixes and accelerated from 129 in the 42nd over to 180 in the 47th as fans wondered if he would become the first player in history to hit a one-day international double century.

But he had to settle for a share of Anwar`s record although Bangladesh could have dismissed him earlier when Mahmudullah dropped him at square leg on 137.

Coventry shared an 82-run stand for the second wicket with Hamilton Masakadza as the home side eyed levelling the five-match series at 2-2.

But they reckoned without 20-year-old left-hander Tamim who first of all made his third half-century of the series before going on to hit his highest score in his 60th international.

Tamim`s 154 came off 138 balls with seven fours and six sixes.

Zimbabwe skipper Prosper Utseya looked for positives in defeat.

"The innings of 312 wasn`t enough. But our game is improving. We`re playing international cricket and we missed chances that should have been taken. 3-2 sounds better than 4-1 and we need to come back strong and play well for the fans."

Bangladesh captain Shakib Al Hasan was overjoyed at another series win which followed their historic Test and ODI sweep in the West Indies.

"Tamim batted magnificently, can`t get better than that. We played very good cricket against West Indies and this series too, everyone chipped in but we need to improve our fielding," said Shakib.

"Cricket is the most popular game in Bangladesh and we thank out fans for their support."

The final match of the series is here on Tuesday.

Read More

10:23 AM

Zimbabwe crush Bangladesh in third ODI

Zimbabwe — Zimbabwe defeated Bangladesh by 69 runs in the third of five one-day internationals at the Queen's Sports Club here on Friday.

After losses in the two opening games, this win put the hosts firmly back in the series, with two more matches to come here on Sunday and Tuesday.

Zimbabwe, sent into bat after Bangladesh won the toss, were sent on their way to victory by Hamilton Masakadza's maiden one-day century with the big-hitting batsman smashing 102 off 112 balls with four boundaries and two sixes.

Elton Chigumbra (61 not out) and Brendan Taylor (94), back after a lengthy period playing in England, added a further 90 from 50 balls, with Chigumbra's 50 coming from just 26 balls.

Zimbabwe's total of 323 was their best here against a Bangladesh side who fell well short of matching their performance.

Bangladesh, who arrived here having swept the Test and one-day series in the West Indies, were always struggling once they had slipped to 39-4 after Tamim Iqbal was out first ball, Naeem Islam was bowled by Chigumbura, Mohammad Ashraful skied to third man and skipper Shakib al Hasan made just 17.

Raqibul Hasan and Mushfiqur Rahim tried to rescue the situation with the pair adding a quickfire 68 while Mahbubul Alam lit up the innings with three successive sixes in his maiden half-century.

But Zimbabwe sealed victory in the 45th over.

"We didn't bowl well," said Shakib. "It was a tough day for us; hopefully we will come back in the next game. We didn't start well with the bat. Only 80 runs were needed in the last overs but we didn't have enough wickets."

Zimbabwe skipper Prosper Utseya said: "The guys managed to come to the party today. Form is temporary, class is permanent. I think our batting can still improve. On that wicket, 350 is a good score."

Chigumbura, who also picked up two wickets, was named man of the match.

"It was a good innings. The guys upfront did a good job to help me come in and play my game. We have to do well on Sunday to level the series," said the all-rounder.

Read More

10:57 AM