BAN vs ZIM, 4th T20I: Mahmudullah Fifty Cruise Bangladesh Into Tri-series Final

Bangladesh beat Zimbabwe by 39 runs on Wednesday at Chittagong to enter the finale

Mahmudullah’s fiery fifty cruised followed by an impeccable effort by the bowlers cruised Bangladesh into the final Twenty-20 tri-series as they beat Zimbabwe by 39 runs on Wednesday. The Tigers will now face Afghanistan in the finale on Tuesday in Dhaka while Zimbabwe will wrap up their campaign against the same opponents on Friday. Riding on Mahmudullah’s 62 off 41 balls, Bangladesh posted 175-7. In response, Zimbabwe managed to amass 136 runs as pacer Shafiul Islam (3-36 ) and debutant leggie Aminul Islam (2-18) shared five wickets to bundle the visitors. Mustafizur Rahman also took two wickets in the final over to finish with 2-38 as Bangladesh condemned Zimbabwe to their third consecutive defeat in the tournament, ending their chances of playing in the final. Bangladesh took the upper hand in the game when Mohammad Saifuddin and Shakib Al Hasan struck in the first two overs before Shafiul reduced Zimbabwe to 8-3. Zimbabwe soon slumped to 66-7, a position from where they could never recover despite some late blows by Richmond Mutumbami and Kyle Jarvis. Mutumbami brought up his maiden fifty, scoring 54 off 32 balls with four fours and three sixes. Jarvis, on the other hand, added 27 off 20 balls, but they could never put Bangladesh under pressure. Mahmudullah earlier led Bangladesh’s batting charge with his fourth Twenty20 international fifty, which featured one four and five sixes. Sent into bat first, opener Liton Das made 38 off 22 and put on 49 runs with debutant Najmul Hossain to give Bangladesh a positive start. Mahmudullah and Mushfiqur Rahim (32) added 78 for the fourth wicket to set up a possible score of close to 200 runs but Zimbabwe halted Bangladesh’s progress with late strikes.