Bangladesh were lucky to secure a three-run victory over Zimbabwe in their third match of the Super 12 stage of the 2022 T20 World Cup in Brisbane on Sunday, October 30. Chasing 151 for the win, Zimbabwe almost reached the total but failed to reach the target as Mosaddek Hossein successfully defended 16 runs in the final over.
Despite their fight for the win, Zimbabwean legend Andy Flower was not impressed with their performance and criticised their lack of composure while chasing what seemed to be an attainable target. “It’s really frustrating to see that little bit of skittishness and the panicky feel we got from their fielding in the first innings, that was an indicator of how they were going to bat, and that’s exactly what happened. The lack of composure, the lack of solidity, the lack of clear thinking has cost them dearly,” Flower said on Cricinfo.
Only one Zimbabwean was able to help in the run-chase. Veteran batter Sean Williams scored 64 runs off 42 balls, with eight fours and no sixes to his name. He kept the Chevrons in the game till the very end but was eventually run out by Shakib al Hasan with a brilliant move that changed the tide of the match.
“It was so frustrating to watch that chase. Prior to this game, Zimbabwe had such a great opportunity to get into a World Cup semi-final. Beating Bangladesh and the Netherlands were their most likely point targets, and 150 on this pitch were getable,” Flower added.
But Flower was also appreciative of the Bangladesh bowling, especially heaping praise on Taskin Ahmed and Mustafizur Rahman. “As well as Sean Williams and Ryan Burl did in their partnership, they were always behind the game. The Bangladesh players did a good job. Their top seamers Taskin and Mustafizur, who are really experienced now, did a really good job. As did Shakib in the field with a great catch at mid-off, an important catch, and then a great run-out. So frustrating to watch those points disappear,” said Flower.
Match recap:
Zimbabwe almost moved to the top of the table (for a brief period) if they managed to beat Bangladesh but it was not meant to be. Opener Najmul Hossain Shanto single-handedly powered Bangladesh to a competitive 150 for 7. And for Zimbabwe, Sean Williams conjured up a magnificent 42-ball 64-run innings to revive the chase. He was dismissed in the 19th over, leaving the Chevrons to score 16 in the last six balls.
