Middle order batter Afif Hossain, unbeaten at 85, and Anamul Haque Bijoy, hitting his second fifty in the series, propelled Bangladesh to 256 for nine in the third and final ODI against Zimbabwe on Wednesday at the Harare Sports Club.

Zimbabwe won the first two matches of the series, and they are on the verge of registering a clean sweep over Bangladesh, reports UNB.

Like the first two matches, Bangladesh managed a brisk start as Tamim Iqbal and Anamul Haque added 41 runs in 8.3 overs. Tamim going well until being trapped in a run-out for 19 off 30 balls.

After Tamim’s departure, Bangladesh suffered a mini-collapse with out-form batter Najmul Hossain Shanto and Mushfiqur Rahim fell quickly within the 10 overs of the innings. Both suffered a duck each.

In the fourth-wicket stand, Anamul and Mahmudullah Riyad added 77 runs. But the unusually slow batting from Mahmudullah put immense pressure on Bangladesh. Mahmudullah eventually fell for 39 off 69 balls.

Afif was firm at the other end of the wicket. But he did not get enough company from Mehidy Hasan Miraz who batted for 24 balls to score 14 runs.

Afif remained unbeaten for 85 off 81 balls with six fours and two sixes.

For Zimbabwe, Brad Evans and Luke Jongwe bagged two wickets each.

Bangladesh squad:

Tamim Iqbal (Captain), Anamul Haque, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Mushfiqur Rahim (Wicketkeeper), Mahmudullah, Afif Hossain, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taijul Islam, Hasan Mahmud, Ebadot Hossain, Mustafizur Rahman.

Zimbabwe squad:

T Marumani, T Kaitano, I Kaia, W Madhevere, Sikandar Raza (Captain), C Madande (Wicketkeeper), T Munyonga, B Evans, LM Jongwe, VM Nyauchi, R Ngarava. 

Bd-pratidin English/Golam Rosul