Hamilton Masakadza inspires Zimbabwe to draw with Bangladesh

Hamilton Masakadza broke his own record for the highest score by a Zimbabwe batsman in a Twenty20 international to inspire an 18-run victory which salvaged a 2-2 draw in the series against Bangladesh.

Opener Masakadza smashed 93 not out from only 58 balls at the Sheikh Abu Naser Stadium as Zimbabwe posted an imposing 180-4 after Elton Chigumbura won the toss and opted to bat first.

Mahmudullah made a brisk 54 in reply, but Bangladesh were all out for 162 with one over to spare to miss out on a series victory having been 2-0 up.

Neville Madziva took his best T20 international figures of 4-34, while Tendai Chisoro (3-17) and Sikandar Raza (2-31) also played their part for the tourists in Khulna.

Masakadza had matched his previous best T20 international score of 79 in the first game of the series and went about taking the Bangladesh attack apart once again.

He put on 80 for the second wicket with Richmond Mutumbami (32) after Vusi Sibanda was dismissed in the first over, scoring boundaries with apparent ease on a slow pitch.

Mutumbami had a life when he was dropped by Taskin Ahmed in the second over and looked set for a big score until he was bowled by Abu Hider (1-33), but Masakadza shifted through the gears with further support from Malcolm Waller (36 off 24).

Masakadza demonstrated great timing and sheer power in a thrilling knock which included five sixes, with the only disappointment that he failed to reach three figures.

Bangladesh slumped to 17-4 in their run chase, with Chisoro and Madziva doing the damage at the top of the order, and Mahmudullah's quickfire half-century was in vain as they fell short.