ZIM vs BAN 3rd T20I Commentary - Harare (02 August 2022)

Only a single to start the over. It is getting tight for Bangladesh. This is full and onto the pads, Afif Hossain flicks it to short fine leg for a single. He will not be happy with himself as it was a freebie.

OUT! TAKEN! Luke Jongwe gets the wicket and more importantly, it is a dot ball. This is short and on middle and leg, Hasan Mahmud makes room to heave it over long off but mistimes it and hits it high in the air. Sikandar Raza there settles under it and completes the catch. He is delighted and there are celebratory scenes all around the ground.

A length delivery and on middle, Afif Hossain drills it down the ground wide of long on for a brace.

Another two. This is a low full toss and on middle, Afif Hossain whips it towards deep mid-wicket and comes back for the second. This is Zimbabwe's game now if they do not give away any extras.

A yorker and around off, Afif Hossain digs it towards long off for a run.

 DROPPED! However, it does not matter! Zimbabwe have sealed a sensational series win! Luke Jongwe serves this full outside off, Afif Hossain looks to heave this towards the offside but only manages to slice this high towards point. The fielder settles under this one but the ball goes through his hands. The batters take two runs but Zimbabwe win by 10 runs!

Victor Nyauchi begins with a good length delivery outside off, Mahedi Hasan lofts this towards deep cover-point. Ryan Burl allows the ball to bounce instead of going for the catch. The bowler is furious but it is just a single.

This is a low full toss outside off, Afif Hossain looks to slog but only manages to mistime the ball towards long off and some good fielding restricts them to a single.

OUT! CAUGHT! Victor Nyauchi strikes and what a massive wicket this is in the context of the game! Victor Nyauchi goes for the slower delivery which comes down as a full toss outside off, Mahedi Hasan goes for the slog hit once again over deep mid-wicket. Does not connect well and holes out to Sikandar Raza who takes a good catch running to his right. This wicket should get Zimbabwe closer to this historic series win!

Victor Nyauchi serves this full outside off, Afif Hossain lifts this towards long on for just a single.

Bowls this on a length and outside off, Hasan Mahmud slashes at this and gets it towards point. The fielder lets this through his hand and they get three runs as the deep cover fielder comes across to cut this off.

Victor Nyauchi continues bowling full and outside off, Afif Hossain lifts this once again towards long on for one more run! What a over this has been under pressure from Victor Nyauchi! He concedes just seven in the penultimate over and gets a wicket!

Sharp bouncer! This is banged in short and outside off, Mahedi Hasan moves to the leg side to make room and cannot connect with the ball. He looks at the square leg umpire but it is a fair delivery.

Full and on off, Mahedi Hasan pushes it to short covers.

SIX! Bang! This is short again and on middle, Mahedi Hasan stands tall and hooks it over the deep square leg fence for a biggie. We are in for thrilling finish here.

FOUR! This is clever batting. This is full and on middle and leg, Mahedi Hasan shuffles across and scoops it over the short fine leg fielder for a boundary.

On a length and on middle, Mahedi Hasan stays back and nudges it through mid-wicket for a single.

Full delivery and outside off, Afif Hossain tries to poke at it but gets beaten.

Victor Nyauchi begins with a good length delivery outside off, Mahedi Hasan looks to stroke this but gets beaten as the ball stays really low.

FOUR! This one has been thumped! Goes a fraction full and outside off, Mahedi Hasan connects as he strokes this past the cover fielder and the ball runs away to the deep cover fence for four crucial runs!

Serves this on a length outside off, Mahedi Hasan taps the ball towards backward point and takes a quick single.

Good yorker served from 'round the wicket to the left-hander. Afif Hossain gets his bat down in time and digs the ball out and gets an inside edge onto his pads. They take a single as the ball rolls over to the offside.

Victor Nyauchi goes full and angles this one into the pads, Mahedi Hasan plays this with soft hands towards deep mid-wicket and they run well to complete a brace.

Victor Nyauchi pitches this full and just outside off, Mahedi Hasan lofts this towards long off and he falls just short of the fielder there. They get a single and now 37 runs are needed from 18 deliveries!

Fuller one and on off, Afif Hossain smashes it towards long off, he stands there and thinks that it will go for a four but the fielder at long off cuts it out running to his left. The batters only gets a single.

Full and on off, Mahedi Hasan pushes it to covers and gives the strike back to Afif Hossain.

 EDGY BUT FOUR! Bangladesh will take it. This is banged short on middle, Afif Hossain tries to pull it to the leg side but gets a top edge and the ball goes over the keeper and into the fence.

FOUR! Back-to-back boundaries for Afif Hossain. This is short again and on middle, Afif Hossain gives it a short arm jab towards the deep mid-wicket fence. The fielder there dives but cannot stop it from going into the boundary.

A slower ball, short and outside off, Afif Hossain dabs it to point for a single.

A full toss around knee height and on middle, Mahedi Hasan drills it to lomg on for a run. A good over for Bangladesh as they score 12 runs from it.

Good running! On a length, on middle. Mahmudullah nudges it nicely in the gap towards the deep mid-wicket region and comes back for the second run.

OUT! CAUGHT! Brad Evans strikes and gets a big fish here! Mahmudullah departs! Bangladesh still need 58 from 34 balls and it looks a tough task for Bangladesh from hereon. This is short and around off. Mahmudullah makes room and looks to cut it. However, he only manages to get an outisde edge to the keeper and Regis Chakabva takes and easy catch as Brad Evans gets his first wicket.

OUT! CAUGHT! Two in two for Brad Evans! What an inspired bowling change this has been from Craig Ervine. The game is now drifting away from Bangladesh as their skipper departs for a golden duck. This is a sharp bouncer on middle. Mosaddek Hossain looks to pull it but is hurried by this short ball and gets the top edge onto his helmet. The ball loops up in the air towards the right of the keeper and Regis Chakabva takes another comfortable catch. Brad Evans is on a hat-trick now!

No hat-trick for Brad Evans! He serves this on a good length just outside off, Mahedi Hasan is watchful as he fends this back down the pitch.

Pulls his length back a fraction, and delivers this outside off. Mahedi Hasan gets on his toes and fends this on the off side. 

Brad Evans bowls this on a good length and angled towards leg side. Mahedi Hasan clips this off his legs straight to short fine leg. What an over this has been and has changed the tide back in favor of Zimbabwe! Just 2 runs conceded and 2 wickets taken in this over!

Begins with a full delivery wide outside off, Mahmudullah gets across and clips it towards mid-wicket for a single.

Luke Jongwe serves this full and outside off, Afif Hossain looks to fend and gets an inside edge towards square leg for a single.

This is a fraction short and angled into the batter from outside off, Mahmudullah pulls this towards deep mid-wicket for a single.

This is short as well on a leg stump line, Afif Hossain gets on top of this and pulls this through mid-wicket for a single.

Luke Jongwe bangs in a short ball and is well directed. Mahmudullah looks to pull and then backs out of the shot. This is called wide by the umpire for height.

Luke Jongwe goes full this time and angled into the pads, Mahmudullah clips this towards deep square leg and takes a single. The throw comes in at the bowler's end and Luke Jongwe does not collect. The overthrow allows a second run. Poor from Zimbabwe in the field.

This is full on the pads, Mahmudullah works this down to dine leg for a single. Good over from Luke Jongwe despite the wide.

A fuller delivery, around off. Afif Hossain pushes it to covers for a single.

On middle and Mahmudullah works it with soft hands and comes back for the second run as the ball goes towards the deep mid-wicket region.

Raza drifts on the pads again. Mahmudullah looks to clip it but misses. The ball goes off his pads towards the leg side and a leg bye is taken.

FOUR! Poor fielding by Wesley Madhevere and Raza is fuming there! This is on middle. Afif Hossain hits it to long off and it is an easy stop for Wesley Madhevere at long off. However, he messes it up completely as the ball goes through his legs for a boundary.

Full and flatter on middle. Afif Hossain plays it back to the bowler.

Slower through the air, this time on middle. Afif Hossain pushes it back to the bowler again.

Tossed up on middle. Afif Hossain takes a single to long on as Sean Williams fails to stop it.

FOUR! Welcome boundary for Bangladesh! This is a low full toss on middle. Mahmudullah sweeps it and sweeps it well through backward square leg for a boundary.

On the shorter side, on leg. Mahmudullah works it behind square on the leg side for a single.

Angled into middle and leg again. Afif Hossain works it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Mahmudullah skips down the track and Shoriful Islam pulls his length back a bit. On middle and Mahmudullah lofts it well short of long on for a single.

A fuller delivery on middle. Afif Hossain drills it to long on for a single.

Slower through the air, on middle. Mahmudullah nudges it to mid-wicket.

Quicker and tad shorter on middle. Mahmudullah clips it behind square on the leg side for a single.

Tossed up on middle. Afif Hossain reaches the pitch of the ball and works it away wide of long on for a couple.

Two more! Fraction short and around off. Afif Hossain goes deep in his crease and cuts it through point for a couple.

Angles it on the pads. Afif Hossain flciks it to square leg for a single.

Slower through the air, this time. Mahmudullah looks to clip it towards the leg side. However, he does so a bit early and gets a leading edge towards backward point. 85 needed now from 54 balls!

Drifts on the pads. Mahmudullah goes deep in his crease and works it to mid-wicket for a single.

OUT! Sean Williams strikes and Shanto departs now, Bangladesh are in a spot of bother with four down and still 97 needed from 64 balls! This is turning into middle. Shanto gets a bit across and looks to scoop it over short fine leg. However, he does not get any timing on this one and ends up looping it up in the air towards Luke Jongwe at short fine leg. He takes an easy catch and Zimbabwe are right on top here.

On the shorter side, around off. Afif Hossain chops it to backward point for a single.

Fuller delivery on middle. Mahmudullah clips it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Great work by John Masara in the field as he saves a vital run for his team. Sean Williams bowls it a tad short, around off. Afif Hossain just opens the face of his blade at the last moment. The ball runs towards the third man fence but Masara chases it and slides to stop it inside the fence. The replays confirm that he has done a great job and the batters run three.

Angling into leg. Mahmudullah is happy to clip it away to mid-wicket for a single.

Fires this on middle. Shanto skips down the track and yorks himself as he looks to power it away. The ball goes off the inside edge to short fine leg.

Very full again on leg. Shanto digs it out to long on for a single.

Tad shorter and angling into the pads. Mahmudullah works it to mid-wicket for a single.

  Bowls it full again, on middle. Shanto makes a bit of room and drives it to long off for a single.

A flatter delivery and around off. Mahmudullah late-cuts it to short third man for a single.

Raza is giving no room to the batters to work with. This is very full on middle again. Shanto makes some room again and pushes it to covers.

Starts with a short delivery and outside off, Najmul Hossain Shanto stays back and cuts it through cover-point for a single. He will not be happy as it was there to be put away.

Goes short again and on off, Mahmudullah slaps it towards long on for one.

Tossed up on off, Najmul Hossain Shanto goes through his drive a bit early. The ball goes in the air but falls well short of long off. They cross.

Floated full and on off, Mahmudullah uses his feet and drills it to long off for a run.

Flighted delivery on middle, this is pushed back to the bowler.

A single to end the over. This is flatter and on middle and leg, Najmul Hossain Shanto tucks it through mid-wicket for another run. End of a good over by the debutatnt. 

Sikandar Raza begins with a full delivery angled into the left-hander's pads. Najmul Hossain Shanto works this to long on for a single.

This is a fraction short and in line with the stumps, Mahmudullah fends this towards square leg for a single.

This is short and wide outside off, Najmul Hossain Shanto stays low and cuts this straight to short third man.

Sikandar Raza bowls this full as well but follows the batter down leg as he looks to make room. Najmul Hossain Shanto knocks the ball down to long on for a run.

Serves this outside off on a full length and gets the ball to turn into the batter. Mahmudullah guides this through mid-wicket for a run.

Fires in a quick delivery, full and angled into the pads. Najmul Hossain Shanto comes down the wicket and misses the line of the ball. Gets hit on the pad and gets a leg bye as the ball rolls over to the off side. Just 5 runs have been conceded in this over!

This is full and on middle, Najmul Hossain Shanto knocks it onto the ground, but the bounce takes it over the bowler and towards the left of mid off. They cross.

Full again and around off, Mahmudullah leans on and drives it to covers.

FOUR LEG BYES! Poor delivery. This is full and down the leg, Mahmudullah tries to flick it but misses. The ball hits his pads and runs past the keeper and towards the fine leg fence for a boundary.

Length delivery around off, Mahmudullah opens the face of his bat and guides it to third man for a single.

Quick running between the wickets. This is again on a good length and outside off, Najmul Hossain Shanto pushes it to wide of third man. The fielder there is slow to react and the batters get two comfortably.

Pitched up and on off, Najmul Hossain Shanto looks to flick it but misses and gets hit on his thigh pads. There is a shout for LBW but the finger stays down. The ball rolls to the off side and the batters run a leg bye. Bangladesh are 45/3 after the Powerplay!

Wesley Madhevere flights this full outside off, Najmul Hossain Shanto knocks the ball down to mid on for a single.

Serves this full and angling into the pads, Anamul Haque flicks the ball towards deep square leg for a brace.

This is a fraction short and wide outside off, Anamul Haque drags this wide of long on and some poor fielding allows the batters to pick up a couple of runs.

OUT! TIMBER! Anamul Haque has been castled! Wesley Madhevere bowls this short and quick, Anamul Haque looks to pull this leg side but the ball is straight and keeps low. He plays all over this one as the ball goes on to shatter the stumps. Wesley Madhevere has a breakthrough and Bangladesh have lost their third wicket!

Serves this one full and angling into the stumps, Mahmudullah works this to long on and gets off  the mark immediately.

Quicker delivery once again and served full in line with the stumps, Najmul Hossain Shanto flicks this through mid-wicket for a single and will keep strike.

OUT! CAUGHT! Victor Nyauchi gets two in two overs. He comes 'round the wicket and serves this on a length and on off, angling in, Parvez Hossain Emon tries to play a lofted drive but closes the face of the bat early. He only manages to hit it uppishly towards mid on. Milton Shumba there completes an easy catch.

A full toss and on off, Najmul Hossain Shanto uses his feet and drives it towards mid-wicket for a single.

Lands on a length, on off. Anamul Haque blocks it out.

Drop and run. This is on a good length and on off, Anamul Haque taps it in front of covers and scampers across for a single.

Short and outside off, Najmul Hossain Shanto pulls it wide of mid on, Milton Shumba gives chase and saves one run as the batter takes three.

On a length and around off, Anamul Haque guides it to short third man.

Wesley Madhevere serves this full outside off, Parvez Hossain Emon gets a thick outside edge towards short third man for a quick single.

This one is flighted full outside off, Anamul Haque gets a stride forward and defends firmly.

Tosses this one full and outside off, turning it into the batter. Anamul Haque clips this through mid-wicket for a single.

Quicker delivery fired full outside off, Parvez Hossain Emon knocks this towards cover.

Tossed up on middle. Parvez Hossain Emon skips down the track and pushes it to long on for a single.

FOUR! Anamul Haque ends the over with a boundary! Wesley Madhevere serves this full and angling into the pads, Anamul Haque whips this towards deep square leg and helps himself to a boundary!

FOUR! Victor Nyauchi starts off with a poor delivery! This is angling into leg. Das just tucks it and the ball races away towards the fine leg fence for a boundary.

OUT! CAUGHT AND BOWLED! After a poor first delivery, Victor Nyauchi gets a big wicket in his second delivery and Zimbabwe get an early breakthrough. Bowls this from the wide of the crease and angles it into middle. Das looks to glance it towards the leg side. However, he ends up playing it a tad early and gets a leading edge back to the bowler. Victor Nyauchi takes a fine low catch off his own bowling and Litton Das departs early.

This is full and on middle, angling in, Anamul Haque pushes it back to the bowler. Victor Nyauchi picks it up and throws it towards the batter's end. He is showing some aggression here.

BEATEN! This is on a length and on off, nips in sharply, Anamul Haque goes for the drive but gets beaten all ends up.

FOUR! Good shot! Anamul Haque gets off the mark with a boundary. This is a bit full and on middle, Anamul Haque picks it up and lofts it towards the deep mid-wicket fence. Two bounces and into the fence it goes.

Good end to the over by Victor Nyauchi. He bowls this on a length and on off, shaping in, Anamul Haque looks to blocks it but gets hit on the thigh pads. The ball rolls towards short third man, he wants the single but his partner denies it. A wicket and 8 runs from it.

Starts with a full delivery on leg, Litton Das flicks it towards deep square leg, there is fumble in the deep and they come back for the second.

Length delivery and on middle, Litton Das tries to work it away to the leg side but closes his face a bit too early and the ball goes of the leading edge towards cover-point.

FOUR! That is the first boundary for Bangladesh! Brad Evans serves this back of a length and outside off, Litton Das stands tall and punches the ball on his back foot over the point fielder. Runs away to the deep point fence for four runs.

Brad Evans goes full this time and in line with the stumps, Litton Das lifts this over the mid off fielder but does not time it well. Just clears the infield and the batters take three. 

 Back-of-a-length delivery once again and outside off, Parvez Hossain Emon looks to cut but gets beaten as the ball keeps a fraction low. 

This one is banged in short outside off, Parvez Hossain Emon looks to fend and gets hit high on the bat as it lobs towards point.