Sibanda steers Zimbabwe to series win

Batsman hits century as team downs Bangladesh in 3rd ODI.

BULAWAYO: Vusi Sibanda’s second One-Day Inernational (ODI) century guided Zimbabwe to a rare series victory as they beat Bangladesh by seven wickets in yesterday’s third ODI at Queens Sports Club.

Sibanda had passed fifty on 19 previous occasions and converted only one of those innings to three figures, but he made the most of two dropped catches to hit the winning runs and finish unbeaten on 103 not out, with Zimbabwe having more than two overs to spare.

Having limited Bangladesh to 247 for nine in their 50 overs, Zimbabwe easily chased down the target, thanks to Sibanda’s innings. He was ably supported by Sean Williams, who recorded his second consecutive half-century to finish unbeaten on 55. This was Zimbabwe’s first series win over Bangladesh since August 2011.

“It’s massive for us,” said captain Brendan Taylor. “This is probably the third series win in all formats in eight or nine years for me, so it’s big for the guys.

“It should give us the confidence to push on and keep believing that we can at least win at home. We’re over the moon.”

Published in The Express Tribune, May 9^th, 2013.