Saifuddin fireworks, Rishad four-fer keep Tigers alive

Half-centuries from openers Saif Hassan and Tanzid Tamim, followed by a blistering late cameo from Mohammad Saifuddin and a four-wicket haul from Rishad Hossain, powered Bangladesh to a 34-run victory over Zimbabwe in the second T20I of the three-match series in Bulawayo on Friday.

Having suffered a 32-run defeat in the opening T20I at the same venue on Wednesday, the Tigers bounced back to level the series 1-1, setting up a winner-takes-all decider on Sunday.

Tap Here to Add The Daily Star As A Trusted Source

Asked to bat first, Bangladesh were cruising thanks to a 120-run opening stand between Saif (55 off 45 balls), and Tanzid (58 off 44). However, the innings lost momentum after the pair departed in the 15th and 16th overs.

The Tigers then endured a brief collapse as stand-in skipper Towhid Hridoy fell in the 16th over before Parvez Emon and Nurul Hasan Sohan also departed, leaving Bangladesh reeling at 141 for five in 16.5 overs.

Yasir Ali steadied the innings with an unbeaten 22 off just 12 deliveries, but it was Saifuddin who provided the late fireworks. The all-rounder smashed four consecutive sixes off Brad Evans in the final over to propel Bangladesh to 186 for five.

Zimbabwe pacers Richard Ngarava (2-24) and Brad Evans (2-65) claimed two wickets apiece. Evans, however, conceded the most runs in a T20I innings by a Zimbabwe bowler, surpassing Ngarava's previous record of 62.

In reply, Zimbabwe's chase never gathered momentum as they lost four wickets inside the Powerplay and half their side within the first nine overs before eventually being bowled out for 152 in 19.4 overs.

Ryan Burl top-scored with a 19-ball 29, while skipper Sikandar Raza made a brisk 28 off 12 deliveries, but neither could spark a sustained fightback.

Leg-spinner Rishad Hossain led Bangladesh's bowling attack with figures of 4-26, while off-spinner Mahedi Hasan chipped in with 3-24 as the visitors wrapped up a comprehensive victory to draw level in the series.