DHAKA: Opening batsman Anamul Haque top-scored with 95 as Bangladesh beat Zimbabwe by 124 runs in the third one-day international to wrap up the five-match series in Dhaka yesterday.
The hosts took an unassailable 3-0 lead in the series after winning the first two ODIs in Chittagong by 87 runs and 68 runs respectively.
Anamul and Tamim Iqbal laid the foundations for a big win, putting up an opening stand of 121 runs – their second century partnership in as many matches, which guided Bangladesh to 297-6.
Zimbabwe were never up to the task and were bowled out for 173 runs in 39.5 overs.
Mashrafe Mortaza (2-24) had an opening-spell blast to leave Zimbabwe 2-22, and spinners did the rest. Arafat Sunny mopped up the tail to finish with 4-27.
Skipper Elton Chigumbura staged a lone battle for Zimbabwe to stay 53 not out.
Haque was named man of the match for his 120-ball innings.
Tamim uncharacteristically took the role of an anchor in the stand before he was freakishly run out for 40.
Shakib al Hasan (40 off 33 balls) and Mushfiqur Rahim (33 off 22 balls) added 72 runs for the fourth wicket in just eight overs to excite home crowd.
Mahmudullah (33 not out off 26 balls) and Sabbir Rahman (22 off 13 balls) also enjoyed a run fest as Bangladesh added 103 runs in the last 10 overs to post their highest total in the series.AFP
