Twitter Reactions: Zimbabwe avoid Bangla whitewash after comprehensive win in fifth T20I

Zimbabwe vs Bangladesh. (Photo Source: X(Twitter)

The five-match T20I series between Bangladesh and Zimbabwe ended 4-1 after Sikandar Raza and Co. managed to beat the Tigers by eight wickets in the fifth T20I in Dhaka on Sunday, May 12.

After losing the first two games comprehensively, Zimbabwe had given Bangladesh a good run for their money in the next two. However, they failed to hold their nerves in the crucial stages and went 0-4 down in the series. The tourists would have been desperate to finish the series on a high and that is exactly what they achieved in the inconsequential fifth match.

Raza called correctly at the toss and opted to field first. Bangladesh lost three wickets inside the first five overs and needed a partnership to resurrect their innings. Captain Najmul Hossain Shanto and Mahmudullah stitched a 69-run stand off 45 balls to get Bangladesh back in the game. The latter scored a 44-ball 54 as Bangladesh finished on 157/6 in their 20 overs.  Blessing Muzarabani and Brian Bennett starred with the ball, as they bagged two wickets apiece.

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Brian Bennett shines with bat as well with captain Raza for company

In reply, Tadiwanashe Marumani departed cheaply but Bennett looked in scintillating touch and hit a flurry of boundaries to rattle the Bangladesh bowlers. Raza walked out to bat at No. 3 and forged a decisive 75-run partnership off 66 balls to take Zimbabwe into a position of strength. After Bennett departed for a 49-ball 70, Raza cut loose and punished the opposition bowling line-up with disdain to finish on an unbeaten 72 off 46 balls. The visitors eventually won the match by eight wickets with nine balls to spare.

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Bennett was fittingly adjudged the Player of the Match for his all-round exploits. Meanwhile, Taskin Ahmed, who was rested for the final T20I, won the Player of the Series award after picking up eight wickets in four matches at an immaculate average of 9.12.

Here’s how X reacted to the fifth BAN vs ZIM T20I game: