Kayes misses ton as Bangladesh seal Zimbabwe series with 7-wicket win

Imrul Kayes has missed a century but his 148-run partnership with the other opener Liton Das has helped Bangladesh seal the ODI series over Zimbabwe with a dominating seven-wicket victory.

Brendon Taylor’s 75-run innings helped the visitors avert embarrassment as the Bangladesh bowlers piled the pressure on Zimbabwe by taking regular wickets at Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium  in Chattogram on Wednesday.

Mohammad Saifuddin’s three-for restricted Zimbabwe to 246 and Mohammad Mithun hit a six when the Tigers were three runs away from the victory with 36 balls in hand.

Kayes, who fired Bangladesh to the lead with a sublime 144 in the first of the three-match series, was 10 runs shy of another hundred in the second match. He became a strong contender for becoming injured opener Tamim Iqbal's partner, which Bangladesh have been looking for a long time. Kayes hit seven fours in the 111-ball innings.

Liton, who scored a brilliant century after opening Bangladesh’s innings in the Asia Cup final against India last month, is surely not too far behind Kayes in the race for the opening slot with 83 off 77 on Wednesday. He hit 12 fours and one six to make up for Kayes’ slow start.

Sikandar Raza struck first, taking out Liton in the 24th over.

Fazle Mahmud Rabbi made his second duck in his second ODI when he became the second victim of Raza.

Kayes then partnered with Mushfiqur Rahim (40) before being out to another delivery from Raza, the other three-star player of the match.

Earlier, Saifuddin provided the breakthrough in the fifth over when Hamilton Masakadza edged one to Mushfiqur.

The duo struck again to send back Sean Williams in the 38th over after he made 47 off 76 to steady Zimbabwe in a 77-run stand with Taylor.

Part-time bowler Mahmudullah proved helpful again, taking the wicket of dangerman Taylor.

Skipper Mashrafe Bin Mortaza, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, and Mustafizur Rahman chipped in with one wicket apiece.

Cephas Zhuwao helped Taylor rebuild the innings in a 52-run partnership before becoming the victim of Miraz.

Raza shone with the bat also but fell one run shy of half-century when Mashrafe, who he had hit for a six, foxed tge batsman with a slower delivery in the 46th over.

Raza’s 41-run stand for the fifth wicket with Peter Moor finally gave their side a total to fight for. But Bangladesh’s opening partnership ensured that the visitors play the next match at the same venue on Friday to avoid a whitewash.