Ben Curran anchored Zimbabwe’s innings with his second One Day International century to take the hosts to a competitive 247-6 in the second game of the three-match series against Bangladesh at Harare Sports Club on Thursday.
Curran, 30, finished unbeaten on 111 off 135 balls, highlighted by nine boundaries while scoring at a strike rate of 82.22.
Earlier in the day, Taskin Ahmed provided the ideal start for Bangladesh as he cleaned up opener Brian Bennett for a duck with a perfect delivery that cut back in sharply, creating a big gap between bat and pad.
Number three Innocent Kaia then tried to counter-attack with a beautiful cover drive for four, but soon after attempted to step out of the crease to smash Taskin through the off side, only to balloon the ball to Mehidy Hasan Miraz at mid-off, leaving Zimbabwe at 8-2.
It could have been worse for the hosts had Towhid Hridoy held on to a straightforward chance to remove the other opener, Curran, when he was batting on four off Shoriful Islam’s bowling.
However, Nahid Rana did not take much time to make his presence felt as he knocked over Craig Ervine for nine with a fast yorker, reducing Zimbabwe to 32/3.
Curran then added 34 runs with Wessly Madhevere, who was dismissed by captain Miraz after scoring 15.
Experienced Sikandar Raza threatened to score big, but he too was caught at cover by Hridoy, leaving Zimbabwe at 134-5 in the 33rd over.
Spinner Rishad Hossain struck soon after as Clive Madande edged one through to wicket-keeper Nurul Hasan Sohan after making only four off 13 balls, reducing Zimbabwe to 148-6 after 36.5 overs.
Curran then shared the most important partnership of the innings with Brad Evans as the pair took the attack to Bangladesh’s death bowlers and guided Zimbabwe to 247-6.
Evans, coming in at number eight, smashed five sixes and two fours, including 22 runs in the final over of the innings off Taskin.
He finished unbeaten on 58 off 38 balls at a strike rate of 152.63, registering his maiden ODI fifty.
Taskin and Miraz finished with two wickets each, while Rana and Rishad claimed one apiece.
