Sabbir was the star of the show with both bat and ball for Bangladesh, scoring the most runs from either side while also claiming the most wickets. PHOTO: AFP
KHULNA: Sabbir Rahman starred with both bat and ball on Sunday as Bangladesh crushed Zimbabwe by 42 runs in the second T20I to take a 2-0 lead in the four-match series.
Sabbir made an unbeaten 43 and then took 3-11 to help Bangladesh restrict Zimbabwe to 125-8 at Khulna after the home side posted a commanding 167-3.
Aiming to bounce back from Friday’s four-wicket loss in the opening match, Zimbabwe began positively with a 50-run partnership between stand-in captain Hamilton Masakadza and Vusi Sibanda.
Bangladesh skipper Mashrafe Mortaza, the third change bowler, broke the stand when he bowled Sibanda for 21.
Masakadza was dropped twice, both on 24 in the same over off Mortaza, but Sabbir ensured the mistakes were not costly by removing the batsman for 30.
Zimbabwe collapsed after alAmin Hossain dismissed Malcolm Waller, the only other batsman to offer some resistance with 29 off 21 balls.
Earlier, Soumya Sarkar also made 43 as Bangladesh dominated from the start after Mortaza elected to bat first.
Shakib alHasan was unbeaten on 27 alongside Sabbir, and hit three sixes at a packed Sheikh Abu Naser Stadium.
Tamim Iqbal (23) and Soumya put on 45 for the first wicket before Taurai Muzarabani made the breakthrough for Zimbabwe.
Tamim went for a slog-sweep and was caught at fine leg after facing just 17 balls.
Soumya wasted a chance of getting his maiden fifty when he offered a catch to Malcolm Waller at long on off Graeme Cremer.
Mahmudullah followed with just one run but Mushfiqur Rahim revived the innings with 24 off 20 balls before retiring with a hamstring injury.
Masakadza led Zimbabwe after the visitors rested regular captain Elton Chigumbura.
Zimbabwe made three changes from the opening match as Neville Madziva, Muzarabani and Richmond Mutumbami came in for Chigumbura, Sikandar Raza and Luke Jongwe.
Bangladesh have made three changes to the squad for the next two matches.
The hosts picked uncapped batsman Mosaddek Hossain and all-rounder Mukter Ali along with paceman Mohammad Shahid.
Paceman Mustafizur Rahman and alAmin Hossain have been rested while Shuvagata Hom was dropped from the squad.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 18th, 2016.
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