ZIMBABWE beat Bangladesh by 13 runs at Harare Sports Club yesterday to seal an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match One-Day International series.
Chasing 248 for victory, Bangladesh were bowled out for 234 in the 50th over, after Zimbabwe opener Ben Curran and the middle order rebuilt the innings with the bowlers holding their nerve at the death.
Put in to bat after losing the toss, Zimbabwe slipped to 17/2 inside five overs, losing Innocent Kaia for four and Brian Bennett for a duck. Craig Ervine also fell cheaply, and Zimbabwe were 134/5 in the 32nd over after Sikandar Raza was dismissed for 33 by Mehidy Hasan Miraz.
Curran and Brad Evans then added a match-defining partnership. Curran finished unbeaten on 111, his second ODI century, while Evans made a career-best 58 not out as Zimbabwe closed on 247/6 in their allotted overs.
Bangladesh's reply was steady early, 64/2 after 15 overs and they remained in the contest at 207/6 after 42 overs, needing 41 from 48 balls with four wickets standing.
Evans dismissed Shoriful Islam for six to make it 234/9, leaving Bangladesh needing 14 from the final 12 balls.
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Zimbabwe captain Richard Ngarava took the final wicket in the 48th over, with Mehidy Hasan Miraz, who scored 27 off 33 balls including three fours and a six caught by Evans at deep square leg. Bangladesh were all out for 234. Ngarava was the pick of the bowlers with three wickets for 55 runs from 9.1 overs. Blessing Muzarabani took two for 33 in 10, Evans had two for 48 from nine while Sikandar Raza, Brian Bennett and Wessly Madhevere picked a wicket each.
With the series won, Zimbabwe will look to complete a 3-0 sweep in the third and final ODI tomorrow.