Nahida Akter's ODI best help Bangladesh sweep series 3-nil against Zimbabwe

Nahida Akter’s career-best figures along with a patient batting knock from Murshida Khatun led Bangladesh to a 3-0 series win against Zimbabwe on Monday (November 15). Sharne Mayers fought with her valiant 39, but it was not enough for the hosts as they went down by seven wickets at the Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo.



After a disappointing debut in the second ODI, where she was dismissed by Jahanara Alam for a golden duck, the right-hander Mayers started with a beautiful cover drive against Fariha Trisna.



In Akter’s first over, Mayers played a perfect cut shot for another boundary. Akter’s sharp throw from the third man boundary ended the promising partnership between her and Modester Mupachikwa in the 7th over.



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Akter trapped both Ashley Ndiraya and captain Mary-Anne Musonda in her fifth over to reduce Zimbabwe to 35 for three by the end of the 10th over. Mayers stood tall and played her shots as wickets were tumbling at the other end.



The hosts faced another collapse and lost their final seven wickets for just 31 runs. Mayers’ valiant knock was ended by debutant Trisna and a ball later Zimbabwe were bowled out for 72 runs in the 28th over.



Akter was the destroyer in-chief for the visitors as she took the second-best figures for Bangladesh in ODIs. She was supported by Trisna and Rumana Ahmed who took two wickets each.  



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In reply, Bangladesh started aggressively with Khatun hitting Nomvelo Sibanda for two boundaries in the opening over. The opening pair added 32 runs in seven overs to give a breezy start to the visitors.



Loryn Phiri, playing her first match of the series broke this dangerous-looking partnership by taking a sharp catch of Nuzhat Tasnia off her own bowling in the 8th over.



That wicket brought Bangladesh captain Nigar Sultana to the crease. She opened her account with a cover drive against Phiri and took her team past the 50-run mark.



Zimbabwe were able to send Sultana back in the 15th over, but by that time a dominant Bangladesh victory was just a formality. Khatun remained unbeaten on 39 to seal the clean-sweep for her side by seven wickets.



Brief Scores:



Zimbabwe 72 all out in 27.2 overs (Sharne Mayers 39, Modester Mupachikwa 9; Nahida Akter 5/21) lost to Bangladesh 74/3 in 18.2 overs (Murshida Khatun 39*, Nigar Sultana 12; Esther Mbofana 1/12) by seven wickets.