Rahim guides Bangla to victory

Opener Mushfiqur Rahim scored a career-best 98 as Bangladesh capped their tour of Zimbabwe with a five-wicket win.

The 20-year-old marshalled the chase nicely, putting on 70 runs for the fourth wicket with skipper Shakib Al Hasan (30) as the visitors bettered Zimbabwe's 209 all out, overhauling the target inside 48 overs in the final one-dayer in Bulawayo.

It's all about numbers

Rahim was the dominant partner in an opening stand worth 43 with Tamim Iqbal, the latter falling for just four.

The visitors then suffered another setback when Elton Chigumbura picked up the wicket of Mohammad Ashraful, but Rahim and Raqibul Hasan (24) steadied nerves with a 51-run stand for the third wicket.

With Shakib and Rahim at the crease, Bangladesh's chase gained momentum as the two put on 70 off just 74 deliveries and it left Bangladesh in charge.

Bangladesh needed only 41 when Shakib was dismissed and Rahim continued the pursuit, eventually falling agonisingly short of a maiden century and with a win in sight.

Mahmudullah ensured victory, which sealed a 4-1 series win, with an unbeaten 27.

Earlier, fast bowler Dolar Mahmud had claimed four wickets and Syed Rasel two to leave Zimbabwe tottering at 69 for six inside 14 overs.

However, number six batsman Brendan Taylor staved off imminent collapse with a fighting 61, while tail-ender Ray Price chipped in with a knock of 46 to help the hosts to a decent total.

Mahmud, brought into the side at the expense of Mahbubul Alam, struck in his first over by removing opener Vusi Sibanda cheaply.

Charles Coventry, who smashed a record-equalling 194 in the previous game, was Mahmud's second victim - dismissed for a seven-ball duck, but Hamilton Masakadza and Malcom Waller stemmed the tide briefly with a 32-run stand for the third wicket.

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Masakadza was then run out for 25 and his dismissal laid bare Zimbabwe's fragile middle-order.

From 43 for two, Zimbabwe crashed to 69 for six until Taylor rescued the innings.

Taylor put on 54 for the seventh wicket with Prosper Utseya (21) - the Zimbabwe captain was dropped on two by Mahmud - and 52 for the eighth wicket with Price, the latter helping Zimbabwe breach the 200-run mark.

Price was last man out as Zimbabwe were bowled out for 209 in 46.4 overs, Mahmud finishing the pick of the bowlers with figures of four for 28 from eight overs.

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