DHAKA: Visiting Zimbabwe kept the series alive by beating Bangladesh by 31-run in the third match of the ongoing four-match Walton T20 Cricket Series at Sheikh Abu Naser Stadium in Khulna on Wednesday.

Bangladesh managed to score 156-run losing six wickets while chasing 188-run target set by Zimbabwe's batsmen.

Sabbir Rahman scored a blazing 50-run off 32-ball while Nurul Hasan, Soumya Sarkar, Mosaddek Hossain and Muktar Ali took 30, 25, 15 and 19 runs.

Zimbabwe’ leg-spinner AG Cremer picked up three wickets giving away only 18-run while Sikandar Raza and TS Chisoro took two and one wicket respectively.

Earlier, the visitors won the toss and chose to bat first in the match that began at 3:00pm (Bangladesh time). The toss was delayed by 23-minute because of drizzle in Khulna.

Zimbabwe scored 187-run losing six wickets. MN Waller was the top scorer hitting 49-run off 23-ball. Besides, V Sibanda, S Williams, H Masakadza and R Mutumbami took 44, 32, 20 and 20 runs respectively.

Ace all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan picked up three wickets while promising debutants Abu Hider and Mohammad Shahid took two and one wicket each.

Bangladesh debuted four players and brought five changes, it is the first time since December 2012, against West Indies. The newly capped players were Abu Hider, Mohammad Shahid, Mosaddek Hossain and Muktar Ali.

Zimbabwe brought two changes in the team as well. Chisoro and Raza came in for Masakadza and Madziva.

The last match of the series will be played at the same venue on January 22 (Friday).

** Bangladesh need 188-run to win series

BDST: 1848 HRS, JAN 20, 2016
SR/SMS