Vitori proves to be the destroyer again

Zimbabwe take 2-0 lead against Bangladesh in series.

HARARE: Zimbabwe beat Bangladesh in the second One-Day International (ODI) by seven wickets, on the back of some superb bowling by Brian Vitori, to take a 2-0 lead in the five-match series.

Chasing 189 for victory, Zimbabwe recovered from the early loss of Brendan Taylor, with Vusi Sibanda and Hamilton Masakadza combining for an 83-run second-wicket partnership. Sibanda top-scored with a fine 67 and together with Tatenda Taibu (61) saw his side home.

Earlier, Vitori’s second successive five-wicket haul limited Bangladesh to a below-par 188.

Vitori made immediate inroads into the tourists’ batting as he claimed Imrul Kayes and Timam Iqbal. He followed that with Shakibal Hassan (26), Nazir Hossain (63) and Abdul Razzak (35).

Shakib, Hossain and Razzak managed to restore some respectability to the total as the visitors were at one point teetering on 61 for six and in danger of posting a new record for their lowest-ever ODI total which stands at 92.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 15^th, 2011.