As Bangladesh had been lifted out of a hole in the afternoon, so Zimbabwe were revived from a top-order collapse with an excellent partnership that gave them a 1-0 lead in the series. Abdur Razzak’s comeback to the Bangladesh XI began with three wickets in his first over, as Zimbabwe squandered a steady start, but a quick and almost effortless 99-run alliance between Elton Chigumbura and Stuart Matsikenyeri steered Zimbabwe out of a mess and on to an ultimately comfortable win.

The framework for this success was laid out earlier in the day when Zimbabwe restricted Bangladesh to 186 – Chigumbura’s three early wickets were crucial – and the stitching up owned plenty to that fifth-wicket alliance, to which Chigumbura contributed 60.

Dew was expected to play a part once the sun down – "It’s not great to bat under lights," Shakib Al Hasan had said at the toss – and Zimbabwe threatened to succumb in pursuit of 187. Predictably, Razzak returned to the Bangladesh team after recovering from a hamstring injury, and made his presence felt immediately.

Chigumbura had begun Zimbabwe’s chase coolly, hitting some imperious shots against the new-ball bowlers, but was struck on the pads by Razzak’s second ball was on his way for 26. The very next ball Brendan Taylor suffered a similar fate when he was hit in front of middle and leg. Three balls later Tatenda Taibu, who played two hurried sweeps, attempted a third but then, while adjusting the ugly stroke, dragged the ball back onto his stumps.

Suddenly, Zimbabwe were 39 for 3. That became 54 for 4 when Rubel Hossain forced Hamilton Masakadza into a loose shot outside off, and when Charles Coventry’s crucial cameo 32 was snapped by Dolar Mahmud, Bangladesh were cock-a-hoop. However, Chigumbura and Matsikenyeri got the chase back on track in sensible manner.

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