Right then! That's it from this game! Bangladesh have roared back and it's all square in this 3-match T20I series. The all-important series decider is up next. The third and final T20I will be played on Tuesday, 2nd August. The action is all set to begin at 4.30 pm IST (11.00 am GMT). But as you all know our build-up will begin in advance. So do join us then. For now, it's goodbye!
Nurul Hasan the skipper of Bangladesh says that it was a great performance from the team. Mosaddek Hossain started well with the ball and Litton Das set the tone with the bat. Adds that they would have bowled first had they won the toss. Concludes by saying that they will do well in the next game and try to win that one as well.
The vice-captain of Zimbabwe, Regis Chakabva says that they got themselves in trouble at the start and lost too many wickets early. Credits Sikandar Raza and Ryan Burl for pulling them out of trouble. Admits that the wicket is still very good for batting but they found themselves losing too many wickets. Continues mentioning Sikandar Raza and says that he has been brilliant in the recent past and they need to apply themselves to get out of difficult situations. On Craig Ervine's injury, he says that he will be fine.
Mosaddek Hossain is the Player of the Match for career-best figures of 5 for 20. He says that he is feeling fantastic about his figures. Adds that they had planned in advance about starting with the spinner so he was well aware of his role. Mentions that they did not talk much about the loss they just knew they can play well and win this game.
Stay tuned for the presentation...
Earlier, Bangladesh came back to the game really strong with the ball. After being brutally assaulted in the first game, they had Zimbabwe pegged back right from the start. Mosaddek Hossain was the star with the ball delivering his four overs right at the start of the innings and dismissing half of the Zimbabwe side. Sikandar Raza continued his good form and got his team to a respectable total with his half-century but it was all for nothing.
Zimbabwe have been brought back to earth after following a dominating win with a humiliating defeat. Eight bowlers were used as they just did not have enough to defend. The part-time bowlers bowled well and chipped in with a couple of wickets but overall they would have been hoping that they had a decent total to bowl at and make this game a contest. They had pretty much lost the game in the first innings.
This run chase has been an absolute walk in the park for Bangladesh, losing just 3 wickets and getting to the target with 15 deliveries to spare. They lost Munim Shahriar early but Litton Das was accumulating runs with ease en route to his half-century. He departed soon after reaching the landmark ending a 41-run partnership with Anamul Haque who was dismissed shortly after. Najmul Hossain Shanto and Afif Hossain then took Bangladesh home with an unbeaten partnership of 55 runs to square things up.
What a comeback this has been from Bangladesh! After a loss in the first T20I, they have put on an absolutely dominating performance to beat Zimbabwe by 7 wickets in this second game and have now leveled the series! Now there is all to play for in the final game at the same venue as that will decide who takes this series.
In over# 18
1
1wd
0
0
Tanaka Chivanga 19/0(1.3)
17.3
1
Pitches it up, around middle. Najmul Hossain Shanto drives it towards mid on and takes a single. Bangladesh win by 7 wickets and level the series!
17.3
1wd
Wide! Full in length, very wide this time. Najmul Hossain Shanto leaves it alone. Wide called! Scores are now level!
17.2
.
Swing and a miss! Slower this time, full and wide of off again. Najmul Hossain Shanto looks to slash this one away but he misses.
17.1
.
Fuller ball, wide of off. Najmul Hossain Shanto squeezes it out towards the fielder at point. A dot to begin with!
In over# 17
0
0
4
3
4lb
1
1wd
Richard Ngarava 23/1(3)
16.6
.
Tighter line! Around the off pole, a length ball. Afif Hossain stays in his crease and taps it towards point. 2 needed off 18 balls!
16.5
.
On a length now, around middle and leg. Afif Hossain blocks it out solidly.
16.4
4
FOUR! Up and over! Pitches it up, outside off. Afif Hossain drives it uppishly over mid off for a boundary. That brings up the 50-run stand between these two!
16.3
3
A low full toss, angling in on the pads. Najmul Hossain Shanto flicks it towards deep square leg. Three runs taken! Bangladesh are one big hit away now!