Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina claps as Bangladesh Test captain Mushfiqur Rahim, left, and ODI skipper Mashrafe Bin Mortaza hold tournament trophies after the fifth and the final Bashundhara Cement ODI between Bangladesh and Zimbabwe at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Dhaka on Monday. Reaz Ahmed Sumon Debutante left-arm spinner Taijul finished 4 for 11 with a hat-trick as hosts Bangladesh pulled off a 5-wicket win over tourists Zimbabwe to sweep Bashundhara Cement 5-match ODI Series by 5-0 in the final match on Monday. It was the second time Bangladesh whitewashed Zimbabwe in the full-length ODI series at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Dhaka. Previously, Bangladesh swept Zimbabwe in 2006 in a 5-match ODI series in Dhaka. Taijul set the new world record in ODI history as the rookie became the very first bowler to make a hat-trick. He also became the 4th Bangladeshi to take an ODI hat-trick after Shahadat Hossain, Abdur Razzak and Rubel Hossain. The spinner produced the second best bowling performance for any Bangladesh cricketer in one-dayer, grabbing four wickets for 11 runs with a hat-trick in his 7-over spell. Previously, paceman Taskin Ahmed picked up 5 wickets and produced the best bowling figure for any Bangladesh cricketer in ODI debut against India this year in Mirpur. After the one-dayer, a glitzy prize-distribution ceremony was held at the stadium. Mushfiqur Rahim was named the ‘player of the series’ for his consistent performance throughout the series. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina as chief guest handed over the man-of-the-match award to Mushfiq at a prize-distribution ceremony. The premier gave $2,000 and the ‘player-of-the-series’ award to him. The PM also handed the Bashundhara Cement Test and ODI Series trophies to the Bangladesh team during the presentation. Taijul was adjudged the ‘player of the match’ for his masterly performance. Bangladesh Cricket Board president Nazmul Hasan Papon, MP, presented to him $1,000 prize money. Bashundhara Cement, a sister concern of the country’s largest industrial conglomerate, was the title sponsors of the month-long three-match Test and five-match ODI series. Chasing a modest 129, Bangladesh chased down the goal with 153 balls to spear and five wickets in hand riding on Mahmudullah Riyad’s match-winning unbeaten 51-run knock. Bangladesh started off superbly with 18 runs in the first four overs due to a blitzkrieg from Tamim but later the home side lost wickets at regular intervals during the comfortable run chase stumbling to 58-4 in the 12th over. The top order looked so delicate to the Zimbabweans’ good length deliveries as Bangladesh was under the pressure at a point. But a crucial 35-run stand by Mushfiq and Mr Cool Mahmudullah turned the match slowly and the home side came back to the match strongly. But paceman Tendai Chatara, who claimed two wickets in his first spell, removed Mushfiq in his very first over of the second spell as Bangladesh slumped to 5-93. It seemed all over when Bangladesh stumbled to 93-5 in 18.4 overs. But Mahmudullah kept alive their hopes in one side smashing his unbeaten 11th ODI century. Sabbir (13*) featured in a match-winning 37-run stand for the sixth wicket with Mahmudullah—that was quite enough to bring a breathtaking 5–wicket triumph for Bangladesh over the tourists Zimbabwe with 153 balls to spear. Mahmudullah managed his match winning knock with 10 fours. Earlier, Zimbabwe skipper won the toss and opted to bat first, but the decision proved wrong as spin attack of Bangladesh trio—Taijul, Shakib Al Hasan and leg spinner Jubair—folded up Zimbabwe innings within just 128 in 30 overs led by Taijul’s fierce bowling. Zimbabwe started miserably, losing opener Sakandar Raza early caught behind stumps off paceman Mashrafe for 9. But another opener Masakadza and batsman Sibanda had a destructive counter-attack against Tigers’ bowling. The duo opted to charge and put on 79 for the second wicket within the powerplay over until Masakadza was fooled by Jubair for 52 followed by a wicket-burst, with key batsman Taylor’s falling within the next couple of overs. Masakadza’s innings was laced with five fours and three cracking sixes. But it took a little time to change the color of the game while Bangladesh made collapse in the Zimbabwe top orders when they were 108 for 3. Zimbabwe had found ways of self-destructing, gifting wickets away to stumble to 120 for 7. Zimbabwe batsmen walked in and walked back without disturbing the scorers at a point. That was the time the trio of dangerous Shakib along with cunning Jubair and debutante Taijul gradually took control of the game. The trio spinners sheared two wickets each and caused the major damage in Zimbabwe batting lineup. Climax came in Taijul’s second spell. He was on a hat-trick streak in his seventh over with wickets of Tinashe Panyangara, John Nyumbu and Chatara. Taijul started weaving his magic in his second spell when he removed Solomon Mire at the start of the 27th over and then ran through Panyangara, Nyumbu and Chatara off the last ball of the 27th and first two balls of the 28th. He finished with figures of 7-2-11-4. Someone even had to put the cap on him right at one stage as the Mirpur crowd roared their approval. Shakib, who grabbed two wickets in his first two spells, picked up the last man Kamungozi’s wicket as Zimbabwe were folded up cheaply within just 128. Apart from Taijul’s four wickets, Shakib bagged three wickets for 30, Jubair took two for 41 and skipper Mashrafe sheared another.
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