BANGLA GET SOLACE DEFEATING ZIMBABWE

Javed Ali, SQUARE CUT, YaHind Sports

Although both Bangladesh & Zimbabwe got themselves eliminated from the Championship Trophy, it was just a confidence building win for Bangla who comprehensively beat Zimbabwe by a huge margin of 101 runs. Skipper Habibul Bashar continued to win the toss for his country and choose to bat first , thanks to a superb century by the in-form Stylish left-hander Shahriyar Nafees who struck 123 not out with 17 hits to the fence and a soaring six, Saquib and the captain himself chipped in with 30 plus respectively. Banking upon his century Bangla reached a respectable total of 231 for 6 in their allotted 50 overs. It was not so difficult target for Zimbabwe as their wicket-keeper batsman Taylor struck a timely half-century and laid a platform, but a suicidal run-out of Masakadza and losing two quick wickets got them under pressure. Bangla bowlers bowled with great determination and confidence defending the total and the fielding was remarkable, it was a team effort which earned them a sweet victory.