Zimbabwe vs Bangladesh, BAN in ZIM, 3 T20Is, 2026 Jul 15 Full score card

OUT! TIMBER! Blessing Muzarabani hammers the final nail in the coffin and with that, Zimbabwe beat Bangladesh by 32 runs, taking the lead in the series. This is much fuller, angling into the off stump. Nahid Rana makes room like he did in the last ball and swings his bat, but it is nowhere near the delivery. The ball beats the outside edge with a large gap and hits the off stump to uproot it from its place. Such a satisfying sight if you are a pace bowler.

Back of a length, shaping in, down the leg side. Nahid Rana makes room and attempts a pull shot, but it beats the top edge.

Nails the yorker now, angling into the leg side, Nahid Rana backs away and swings again but only connects with thin air.

Dug into the surface, on middle, Nahid Rana has a heave across the line and misses again.

Back of a length and around middle, Nahid Rana backs away to pull but misses.

Nahid Rana is the last man in.

OUT! TAKEN! Zimbabwe are just 1 wicket away from victory. Muzarabani bends his back and offers a good bouncer, over off, angling in. Nasum Ahmed opens his stance to pull it away, but connects with the top half of the bat. The ball flies toward square leg, where Tashinga Musekiwa pouches the catch safely into his palms.

FOUR! SHOT! Fuller in length, angling in, Taskin Ahmed drills it toward the left of the long on fielder for four runs.

OUT! CAUGHT! Make it four for Richard Ngarava. Can he get his fiver-fer with just one ball left in his spell? Back of a length, pitching on off and shaping inward. Mohammad Saifuddin lifts his front leg up and looks to pull it away, but the ball catches the top edge, before it loops and falls into the cusp of Milton Shumba, stationed in the deep fine leg region. Bangladesh are 134/8 now.

Zimbabwe is sticking to the short-ball tactics.

WIDE! Another slower one, going down the leg side, Mohammad Saifuddin misses out on his sweep.

Slower one, on a good length, outside off, Nasum Ahmed slaps it to deep cover for a single.

Yorker, on middle and leg, Mohammad Saifuddin jams it to square leg for one.

Bumper on middle, Nasum Ahmed pulls it awya to wide of bacward square leg for one.

A massive moment in the context of the game. Nasum Ahmed walks out to bat.

OUT! CAUGHT! There comes the big wicket as Richard Ngarava has got the set batter. Zimbabwe will believe they are on top now. Short of a length, outside off. Yasir Ali hangs back and looks to lash it over the cover region, but the ball climbs up bigger than he expected. However, Yasir still goes through his shot but miscues it pretty badly. The ball loops toward cover and Brad Evans reverse-cups it before dropping on his back.

Richard Ngarava to bowl out now.

Short again, in the channel outside off, Mohammad Saifuddin tries to pull it across but fails to connect it yet again.

Short of a length, angling away from the batter. Mohammad Saifuddin swings and misses.

End of the 52-run stand. Mohammad Saifuddin comes out to the middle now.

OUT! TAKEN! The dropped catch won't be hurting Zimbabwe much. Good-length delivery, outside off. Mahedi Hasan shuffles across and tries to loft it over mid off, but finds the connection from the outer part of his bat. The ball balloons toward the left of the mid on region, where Sikandar Raza keeps his calm and does the job neatly. Bangladesh are 130/6, chasing 171 runs.

FOUR! Oh my goodness. That should have been taken. Richard Ngarava is the guilty party. This is a good bouncer, on middle and leg. Mahedi Hasan hangs back and tries to pull but gets a top edge towards fine leg. Ngarava moves to his left but never really settles under it and does not even get a hand on it as the ball goes away into the ropes. That also brings up the 50-run stand between these two batters.

Short, slanting in, on middle and leg, Yasir Ali pulls it to deep square leg for one.

Single won't hurt Zimbabwe. They just need to avoid the boundaries. Back of a length, outside off, Mahedi Hasan arches back and steers it to deep third for a single.

Blessing Muzarabani is back on.

Slower one now, angling down the leg side, Mahedi Hasan walks across and sweeps it to the left of the short fine leg fielder. Blessing Muzarabani does well to roll away and make a stop. Single taken.

WIDE! Bumper, but that goes over the helmet of the batter. Mahedi drops his stance.

FOUR! Whacks it away! Short of a length, around off. Mahedi Hasan steps out of his crease and hammers it over mid off for another boundary.

On a length, outside off, Mahedi misses his cut.

FOUR! Exceptional from Hasan! He has had a slow start, but this is exactly the time to go full throttle. Hard-length delivery, on of and middle. Mahedi Hasan shuffles across the stumps and ramps it over keeper for four runs.

Back of a length, on off and middle. Yasir Ali pulls it to deep mid-wicket for one.

That goes over the stumps! Just a yard behind the good length, angling in, around stumps. Yasir Ali comes down the track to heave it away but gets beaten on the outside edge.

Dragged back, on middle, Yasir Ali punches it down to long on for one more.

FIFTY FOR YASIR ALI! A superb knock under pressure and that after being out of the T20I team for a long time. Quicker, full and on middle, Ali clips it through mid-wicket for a couple of runs. Ali knows that the job is not done here.

SIX! Just over! Flighted, full and on middle, Yasir Ali gets down on one knee and plays the slog sweep. It flies towards deep square leg, where Brian Bennett tries his best to leap up and get hand on it but the ball sails over him for a biggie.

Fires this one, full and on leg, Mahedi Hasan fails to glance it away as the ball goes off his pads to short fine. Leg bye taken.

A bit short and around off, Yasir Ali punches it to sweeper cover fo a single.

Floated, full and on middle, Yasir Ali turns it to the leg side.

A postive over for Bangladesh. At this stage, Zimbabwe were 118 for 4. Raza is ready to bowl his final over of his spell.

Quicker, short and on off, Yasir Ali waits for it and opens the bat face to steer it past short third. Blessing Muzarabani chases after it to stop it as the batters turn around for the third. The throw comes in at the keeper's end, where Tadiwanashe Marumani collects it but is not aware of his surroundings; otherwise, he could have thrown it at the other end, with Ali struggling a bit. Also, 100 is up for Bangladesh.

SIX! Short and punished! Ryan Burl bowls a half-tracker, around middle. Yasir Ali rocks back quickly and whacks it over the deep mid-wicket fence for a biggie.

Slows it up, full and on off, turns away sharply again. Yasir Ali gets forward to block but the ball spins past the outside edge. Tadiwanashe Marumani collects and breaks the stumps but Ali never left his crease.

Short and outside off, Mahedi Hasan punches it to sweeper cover for a run.

Big turn! Ryan Burl flights it up, full and around off, grips and turns away sharply. Mahedi Hasan looks to push it away but gets beaten on the outside edge. Tadiwanashe Marumani grabs it and appeals but turned down.

Looks like Yasir Ali is having some issues. It is something about his left eye. The physio is having a look at it, and whatever the issue was has been resolved.

Tossed up, full and around off, Yasir Ali drags it wide of long on for a single.

Shorter in length again, on off, turns in sharply, Mahedi Hasan gets cramped up and clips it to short mid-wicket. Bangladesh need 80 runs in 42 balls now.

Flatter, shortish and on middle, Yasir Ali pats it down to long on for one.

Dragged back, on middle, Mahedi Hasan punches it down to long on for a run.

Flighted, full and on middle, Mahedi Hasan tucks it to short mid-wicket.

Floated, full and on off, Yasir Ali lofts it down to long off for a single.

FOUR! Top shot! Leg-spinner from Raza, drops it short and around off. Yasir Ali backs away a bit and muscles it over extra covers for a boundary.

Safe! Brad Evans hits the deck hard, on off, holds its line. Mahedi Hasan looks to work it across the line but gets a leading edge. It flies towards point, where Clive Madande dives to his left, but the ball just evades him. Two taken.

Good length and on off, Mahedi Hasan stays back and blocks it out.

Hard length and on off, Yasir Ali pats it in front of point and calls for one. Mahedi has to hurry but makes his ground.

Short of a length and on middle, Mahedi Hasan swivels and pulls it through square leg for a run.

Fuller and on middle, Mahedi Hasan tucks it to the left of short mid-wicket.

Back of a length and on middle, Yasir Ali heaves it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Slows it up, full and on middle, Mahedi Hasan defends it on the front foot.

Flatter, full and on of, Yasir Ali tucks it through mid-wicket for one.

Short and around off, Yasir Ali punches it towards short cover, where Clive Madande does well to get his body behind the ball to stop it.

Mahedi Hasan walks up next.

OUT! NURUL HASAN IS RUN OUT! Absolute disaster for Bangladesh. Sikandar Raza tosses it up, full and on middle, Hasan tucks it to the leg side and sets off for the run. Raza quickly moves to his right to get to the ball, turns around and puts in an underarm throw to hit the stumps at the bowler's end. Nurul is nowhere near the crease and there was never a run there. Bangladesh lose half their side now.

Short and outside off, Yasir Ali cuts it away to deep point for a run.

Floated, short and on off, turns away a bit, Nurul Hasan steers it away towards backward point for a single.

A touch fuller, around off, Nurul Hasan eases it to long off for another single.

Tossed up, on the fuller side, around off, Yasir Ali prods and pushes it to long off for a single.

Flat and much fuller, nearly a yorker, outside off. Nurul Hasan drives it to deep cover for one.

DRINKS! A timely wicket for Zimbabwe and they will look to build on it. Sikandar Raza has chopped and changed his bowlers and finally got the reward for it. The hosts will look to put pressure on the Bangladesh middle order, which has not been consistent in recent times. The asking rate is still under control, but the visitors need one big stand to take the game away. Also, Nurul Hasan is the next man in.

OUT! CAUGHT! A wicket that the Chevrons were desperately looking for here. This is on the fuller side, offering a bit of flight on the delivery. Towhid Hridoy gets down on one knee to slog sweep it, but he gets more height than distance. The ball balloons toward deep mid-wicket, which is also the bigger side of the boundary, and Tashinga Musekiwa does well to catch it safely. 98 runs needed off 63 balls now for Bangladesh.

Maybe one of the batters will look to take more risks now.

Full, outside off, Yasir Ali drives it to deep cover for one.

Good length, on off, Yasir Ali defends it to the off side.

Another change in bowling. Milton Shumba to bowl now.

Full toss, outside off, Yasir Ali punches it to mid on.

On a nagging length, outside off, Yasir Ali turns it to the leg side with soft hands toward wide mid on. The long on fielder comes charging toward it and by the time he throws, the batter has completed the second run.

Good length, outside off, Towhid Hridoy nudges it to mid-wicket and gets a single.

TWO WIDES! Mayers drags his length back and sprays it down the leg side. Yasir Ali misses his pull and the keeper, who is standing close to the stumps, fails to glove it. The ball rolls toward deep fine leg and the batter gets a run.

Aiming the pads of the batter, fuller in length, Towhid Hridoy nudges it to mid-wicket and gets across.

Full, on off, Yasir Ali clips it to deep square leg for one.

SIX! BANG! Yasir Ali gives a warm greeting to Myers. Hits the deck hard to generate some bouncer off the deck, on off. Yasir Ali stands tall and pulls it over the deep square leg fence for half a dozen.

Dion Myers replaces Ryan Burl.

Another short of a length, over off. Yasir Ali miscues his pull to wide long on for a single. Bangladesh need 113 more runs off 72 balls.

Bumper, around off, Yasir Ali dabs it to cover.

WIDE! Bumper, but this one sails well over the batter. Yasir Ali looks to take it on, but pulling it, but fails to get the connection.

Short, on middle, Towhid Hridoy pulls it to the left of the deep square leg fielder for a single.

Uppish, but landed safely! A touch fuller, attacking the stumps, Towhid Hridoy attempts to slog it but fails to match the timing. The ball loops over the mid on fielder and the batter gets a brace.

Back of a length, outside off, Towhid Hridoy chops it to point.

Full-length delivery, just outside off, Yasir Ali nudges it to mid on for a single.

Brad Evans has been introduced into the attack.

Good length, outside off, Towhid Hridoy cuts it between backward point and short third to get a couple of runs.

On a nagging length, around off, Towhid Hridoy steers it to short third.

FOUR! CRACKED! Burl spills out a low full toss, outside off. Towhid Hridoy hangs back and slaps it toward deep cover. The fielder runs to his left and makes a slide, but the ball manages to escape under his elbow to get to the boundary rope. 50 up for Bangladesh.

Short, away off, Yasir Ali pushes it to long on for one.

Full, on off, Towhid Hridoy works it to the leg side for a quick single. The fine leg fielder sprints to his left and cuts it to a a single.

Starts with a shorter one, outside off, Yasir Ali cuts it to deep cover for one.

End of Powerplay! Zimbabwe will be happy to pick up 3 wickets in the first 6 overs, but they will be aware that they cannot let Bangladesh build a big partnership here. Here is Ryan Burl to bowl now.

Back of a length, outside off, Towhid Hridoy looks to slap it away, but inner edges it to the right of the keeper on one bounce.

Just a yard behind the good length, slanting across. Yasir Ali opens the face of the bat, before pushing it through point for one.

Hard-length delivery, just outside off, Yasir Ali pats it to mid off for no runs.

On a nagging length, around off, Yasir Ali fends it to cover.

WIDE! Back of a length, spraying down the leg side, Yasir Ali lets it pass.

Blessing Muzarabani has gone off the field. He needs some treatment on his shin.

FOUR! Oh, classy shot from Yasir! Full-length delivery, angling it across the right-hander. Yasir Ali brings out his front foot, crouches a bit and lofts it beautifully over cover for four runs.

Pitches it up, around the pads of the batter, Towhid Hridoy flicks it to short fine leg. Blessing Muzarabani fumbles a bit and the batter gets the window to take the single.

Pitched up and on off, Towhid Hridoy flicks it to deep mid-wicket for one more.

Fuller and on middle, Yasir Ali clips it towards mid-wicket for a single.

Yasir Ali is the next batter.

OUT! IN THE AIR...GONE! Blessing Muzarabani strikes now. He lands this on a good length and on middle, kicks up off the deck. Parvez Hossain Emon presents the full face of the bat and tries to loft it down the ground but the ball hits him high on the bat. He ends up mistiming it high in the air and Sikandar Raza at mid off moves back to take a fine catch. Bangladesh slip from 25/0 to 34/3.

Hits the deck hard, around off, angling away with extra bounce, Parvez Hossain Emon throws his bat at it but misses.

FOUR! Up and over! Back of a length and outside off again. Parvez Hossain Emon gets the chance to free his arms and slashes it over point for a boundary.

Short of a length and outside off, takes off a bit, Parvez Hossain Emon tries to cut it away but misses.

Two wickets in a single over. Towhid Hridoy comes out next.

OUT! CAUGHT BEHIND! Richard Ngarava with the double strike. He puts in more effort on this one, bends his back and bowls a well-directed bouncer into the body of the batter. Tanzid Hasan tries to get inside the line and hook it away but the ball gets big on him and he gets cramped up as well. It catches the gloves of the batt and lobs up behind, where Tadiwanashe Marumani takes a dolly. Bangladesh lose both openers in the same over.

FOUR! Easy pickings! Pitched up but angling into the pads. Tanzid Hasan picks it off and whips it wide of short fine for a boundary.

On a length and on off, Parvez Hossain Emon guides it off the outer half of the bat through backward point for a single.

Parvez Hossain Emon walks up as the first down batter.

OUT! EDGED AND GONE! Richard Ngarava draws first blood. He bangs this into the pitch, just outside off. Saif Hassan stays back and tries to pull it away but this is not that short for the shot. He ends up getting an underedge behind, where Tadiwanashe Marumani dives forward to take a sharp catch, with the ball dying on him. Bangladesh are 25/1, chasing 171 runs.

Full again and around off, Saif Hassan picks it up and slogs it but does not get the timing right. It drops over the mid-wicket region and goes nowhere with the mid on fielder doing the mop-up job. Two taken.

Fuller one angling down the leg side, Tanzid Hasan misses his glance as the ball goes off his pads towards short fine. Leg bye taken. There is also a shout for LBW, but turned down.

Blessing Muzarabani sees the batter come down the track, bangs this into the pitch, on middle, gets some steep bounce. Saif Hassan swings wildly at it but only connects with thin air.

Dug into the surface, outside off, Saif Hassan shuffles across a long way to scoop it but misses. Tadiwanashe Marumani grabs it behind the stumps and appeals for it but nothing doing.

Good length and on middle, Saif Hassan tucks it to short mid-wicket.

Hits the deck hard, on off, Saif Hassan backs away and stabs it out to short cover.

Short of a length and around off, Tanzid Hasan upper cuts it to deep third for a single.

MISFIELD AND FOUR! Back of a length and outside off, Tanzid Hasan throws his hands at it but gets a bottom edge. The ball races towards the third man fence, where Dion Myers runs to his right and gets to the ball. He bends low to pick it up but lets it through his hands for a boundary.

Hard length and on off, Saif Hassan stays back and pats it in front of short cover. Good comeback from Ngarava after getting hit for a boundary early in the over.

On a length and on middle, Saif Hassan fends it to the leg side.

Touch fuller and on off, takes pace off, Saif Hassan looks to push it away but gets an outside edge on the bounce to short third. Saif sets off for the run but is sent back and the fielder anyway misses his shy at the batter's end.

Hard length and around off, Saif Hassan stabs it out towards short cover.

FOUR! Signs of aggression! Back of a length and on middle. Saif Hassan uses his feet but stays leg side of the ball to free his arms. Crunches it over point for a cracking boundary.

Richard Ngarava begins with a good-length delivery, on off, nips back in, Saif Hassan steers it away to point.

Richard Ngarava to bowl from the other end.

Slows it up, full and on off, Saif Hassan tucks it through mid-wicket for one. 13 runs off the first over!

FOUR! Gets it away! Flighted, full and around off, Saif Hassan backs away a bit, uses the pace and steers it to the right of short third. Blessing Muzarabani has no chance this time as the ball races to the fence for a boundary.

Fires this one, full and around off, Tanzid Hasan looks to drive it away but gets an inside edge past the stumps. Blessing Muzarabani from short fine runs after it and manages to stop it just in time. Three taken.

FOUR! Gets off the mark in style! Flatter, a bit too full and on middle. Tanzid Hasan gets right underneath it and thumps it past the bowler for the first boundary for the chase.

Floated, short and on off, turns away a bit, Tanzid Hasan stays back and punches it to short cover.

Sikandar Raza starts with a shorter delivery, on leg, Saif Hassan flicks it off the back foot through mid-wicket for a single. Bangladesh are up and running in the chase!

FOUR! Brad Evans finishes things off on a high! Nahid Rana goes full again and around off. Brad Evans is expecting that and stays deep inside his crease. He reaches out and blasts it through extra covers for four more runs. Zimbabwe end up on 170/6!

FOUR! A gift and gladly accepted! This is a juicy full toss, on middle. Brad Evans does not miss out and slogs it away towards the deep mid-wicket fence, where it just bounces before the ropes for a boundary.

FOUR! Cheeky and effective! Nahid Rana goes for the yorker again, around off. Brad Evans shuffles across early, takes it on the full and nails the scoop to the fine leg fence for another boundary.

Low full toss, on off, Ryan Burl drills it to long off for a run.

Fuller one and around off, Brad Evans lofts it on the bounce to long off for a single.

FOUR! Perfect start to the over! Nahid Rana misses the yorker by an inch around off. Brad Evans stays deep inside his crease, gets his front leg out and smashes it to the long off fence for a boundary.

Nahid Rana to close out the innings.

Sticks to the fuller length and keeps it away from the batter. Ryan Burl drills it away towards sweeper cover for a brace.

Fuller again and on middle, angling in, Brad Evans has a swipe across the line but misses as the ball lobs up off his pads to the off side. Leg bye taken. That also brings up the 150 for Zimbabwe!

WIDE! Errs in line and serves this full but down the leg side, Brad Evans fails to glance it away. Wided.

Pitched up and just outside off, Brad Evans backs a bit too far away. He throws his hands at it but does not get near the ball.

Fuller and around off, Ryan Burl steps across and forces it down to long off for a single.

WIDE! Short of length but way outside off, angling further away, Ryan Burl throws his bat at it but fails to connect. Wided again.

Back of a length and around off, angling away, Ryan Burl uses his feet and slashes hard but misses.

WIDE! A wide yorker, outside off, just over the tramline, Ryan Burl moves across but fails to reach it. Wided.

Fuller one and on leg, Brad Evans clips it through square leg for a single.

Mohammad Saifuddin (3-0-28-2) to bowl the 19th over.

FOUR! Gets it away! Nahid Rana misses the yorker and serves a low full toss, outside off. Ryan Burl extends his arms and thrashes it wide of mid off for a boundary.

Right in the blockhole, on middle, Brad Evans tucks it away through square leg for a single.

No hat-trick! Fuller delivery and just around off, holds its line, Brad Evans goes for the big booming drive but gets beaten on the outside edge.

Brad Evans walks in to face the hat-trick ball.

OUT! TAKEN! Two in two for Nahid Rana. Pitched up and around middle. Tashinga Musekiwa clears his front leg and tries to go big down the ground but does not get under the ball fully. He gets no timing on it as the ball flies towards long on, where Saif Hassan comes forward, crouches down on one knee and pouches it safely. A golden duck for Musekiwa and Rana is on a hat trick now.

Tashinga Musekiwa comes out to the middle.

OUT! STRAIGHT TO THE FIELDER! Nahid Rana can do no wrong in this game. He goes fuller and around off. Milton Shumba shuffles across and gets down to scoop it away. He takes it on the full but unfortunately does not get the elevation and hits it straight to short fine, where Taskin Ahmed takes a good catch with the ball travelling to him quickly. Zimbabwe lose half their side now.

Misses out! A low full toss, outside off, Milton Shumba throws his bat at it but fails to connect.

Nahid Rana returns to bowl. 2-0-3-2 so far for Rana.

Low full toss, outside off, Ryan Burl slaps it away wide of sweeper cover for a couple of more runs.

Change of pace, full and outside off again. Ryan Burl reaches out and lofts it off the toe-end of the bat down the ground, where long on moves to his right to cut it out. Two taken.

Change of bat for Ryan Burl.

Short of a length and way outside off, Milton Shumba moves across and cuts it to deep point for a run.

Very full and around off, Milton Shumba fails to get underneath the ball and drills it to short cover.

Dug into the surface, outside off, takes pace off, Milton Shumba punches it to extra cover.

Bangs this into the pitch, on off. Ryan Burl walks across to pull it away but gets rushed. He loses his bottom hand and mistimes his pull towards deep mid-wicket for a single.

WIDE! Fuller one but way outside off, Ryan Burl leaves it alone. Called a wide.

Taskin Ahmed (3-0-15-0) comes back on.

Flighted, full and on middle, Ryan Burl drives it to sweeper cover for one more.

Drags his length back, on leg, Milton Shumba moves back and heaves it to deep mid-wicket. He wants the second but Towhid Hridoy is quick to release the ball and keeps it to one.

Slows it up, full and on middle, angling in, Ryan Burl works it off the inner half of the bat towards square leg for a run.

Drops it short and on middle and leg, Milton Shumba punches it to long on for a single.

Flighted, full and around off, Milton Shumba pushes it with soft hands past extra cover and comes back for the second run.

Halt! Saif Hassan has taken a blow on the fingertips. The physio is out with the magic spray.

FOUR! Powered away! Tossed up, full and on off. Milton Shumba gets right under it and smacks it past the bowler. Hassan tries to grab it with his right hand, but the ball clips his fingertips and races behind to the fence for a boundary.

35/2 in the last 5 overs. A change in bowling as Saif Hassan has been introduced for his off-breaks.

Quicker one, full and around off, Ryan Burl goes down for the slog sweep but gets an inside edge towars short fine.

A bit short and on leg, Milton Shumba stays back and tucks it to the leg side for one.

Flighted, full and on middle, Milton Shumba defends it on the front foot.

Uppish but safe! Slows it up, full and on off, holds up in the surface and turns away. Milton Shumba gets forward to block but the ball hits him high on the bat. It lobs up but drops just wide of short cover to his left.

Fires this one, full and on leg, Ryan Burl misses his flick as the ball goes off his pads to short fine. A leg bye taken.

Tossed up, full and on off, Ryan Burl gets down for the reverse sweep but gets a top edge. It flies over short third who chases after it to collect it. Two taken.

Pitches it up, just outside off, Ryan Burl drives it to extra cover to get a quick single. End of an eventful over. 13 runs and a wicket from it!

Back of a length, outside off, Milton Shumba pushes it through cover-point for a single.

Milton Shumba is the new man in.

OUT! TAKEN! Make it two for Mohammad Saifuddin as well. Pitching it much fuller, shaping it away from the right-hander. Sikandar Raza crouches and looks to launch it downtown, but the ball connects from the toe end of the bat. It flies flat toward long off, and it's none other than Towhid Hridoy to take the catch near his chest.

FOUR! Fine shot! Pitched up and way outside off again. Sikandar Raza extends his arms to reach out for it and thumps it over extra cover for a boundary.

Gets it right this time! Fuller and well outside off, but just inside the tramline, Sikandar Raza lets it go. Raza looked shocked that the umpire did not signal a wide.

WIDE! Tries the wide yorker but spills it over the tramline, outside off, Sikandar Raza leaves it alone. Wided.

Parked onto the roof and the ball is not coming back. The umpires have asked for a replacement.

SIX! SMOKED! Mohammad Saifuddin lands this on a good length and on middle, angling in a bit. Sikandar Raza picks the bones out of it and whacks it over the deep mid-wicket fence, onto the roof for half a dozen more.

Quick single! On a nagging length, around off, Raza punches it in front of cover and gets a quick single.

Mahedi drags his length back, on middle, Sikandar Raza makes room and punches it straight to the short cover fielder.

Angling in, around middle and leg, fuller in length. Ryan Burl nudges it to mid-wicket and gets a single.

FOUR! Put away! Flatter and shorter, just around off. Ryan Burl gives himself a little bit of room, gets his hands through the shot and crunches it through point for a boundary. The 100 is up for Zimbabwe.

SIX! Excellent use of the feet! Tossed up, full and on leg, Ryan Burl skips down the track and stays leg side of the ball. He hits through the line, tonking it over the bowler's head for a biggie.

Floated, full and on off, Ryan Burl pushes it away to short cover.

Mahedi Hasan has been tossed the ball now. He has gone for 26 runs in his 2 overs so far.

Overpitched, outside off, Ryan Burl jams it away to the right of cover and gets a single.

Back of a length, outside off, Ryan Burl swings his willow to offer a cut, but misses the connection.

Bouncer, over the leg stump, Ryan Burl ducks underneath.

Much fuller and on middle and off, Ryan Burl drills it down the pitch. Taskin Ahmed sticks his right hand out to make a half-stop. Raza in trying to get back in his crease takes a tumble and is lying flat on the ground.

Good length and around off, Ryan Burl opens the bat face and guides it away to point.

Fuller and just outside off, Sikandar Raza gives the charge and throws his hands at it. He ends up slicing it towards deep point for a single.

Much fuller, on middle and off. Ryan Burl drills it down the track. The ball hits the stumps at the bowling end and goes nowhere.

The field cannot change for the Free Hit ball.

Called a No Ball for it being the second bouncer of the over and Towhid Hridoy does not seem to be happy about it. He has walked over from extra cover and is seeking clarification from the umpire.

NO BALL! Short and angling away across the batter. Ryan Burl lets it pass. The umpire calls the second bouncer of the over and gives it a No Ball. Free is coming up next.

A big wicket for Bangladesh. Ryan Burl is in next. A slip in place for the new batter.

OUT! CAUGHT! The short deliveries are working well for the Bangladesh pacers and with that, Nahid Rana gets his second wicket. Rana offers a short ball, well outside off. Brian Bennett stands tall and tries to upper cut it, but ends up cutting it straight toward deep point, where Tanzid Hasan gets underneath the skier to pouch the catch. Zimbabwe lose their third wicket with 90 runs on the board.

Hits the deck hard, angling in, around middle and leg. Brian Bennett defends it down from the inner part of his bat.

Bangs in a bouncer now, on middle, Brian Bennett ducks under it.

Pitched up and angling into the pads. Brian Bennett fails to clip it away and the ball deflects off his pads towards the vacant square leg region. The batters get a couple of leg byes.

Fuller and on middle, angling in, Sikandar Raza flicks it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

DRINKS! Zimbabwe have not slowed down even after the Powerplay, and that is what you need to do in modern T20 cricket. Brian Bennett is batting really well, and with Sikandar Raza out in the middle, this pair will want to play most of the remaining overs. Bangladesh will hope to be a bit more consistent with their lines and lengths, as there have been too many loose deliveries so far. Nahid Rana has been brought back.

FOUR! Into the gap for another boundary. Flatter and shorter, outside off. Brian Bennett transfers his weight on his back foot and cuts it pretty late to pierce the gap between backward point and short third for four more runs.

Full, on off, Raza drives it to deep cover for one.

FOUR! What a shot that is from the skipper of Zimbabwe. This is a touch shorter, just outside off. Sikandar Raza hangs back and drills it along the green carpet to dissect the gap between cover and deep point for a boundary.

Not all that short, on off. Raza cuts but straight to the man at backward point.

Full and at the sticks. Bennett pushes it to long off and gets to the other end.

Low full toss, on middle and leg. Raza drives it wide of extra cover for a single.

On the fuller side, angling in, at the stumps. Sikandar Raza works it uppishly but well of the man at mid-wicket. Raza is off the mark with a single.

Out goes Dion Myers, in comes Sikandar Raza.

OUT! TAKEN! Mohammad Saifuddin breaks through for Bangladesh. Saifuddin delivers a slower bumper, keeping the line just outside off. Dion Myers yet again charges down the track to pull it across the line, but miscues it to deep mid-wicket. The ball loops toward the sub fielder, Rishad Hossain, at deep mid-wicket, and he makes no mistake in pouching it safely into his hands. The 38-run stand has been broken. Zimbabwe are 75/2.

Back of a length, on off, angling in. Dion Myers comes down the track and whips it uppishly toward the left of the deep mid-wicket fielder and collects a couple of runs.

Bashes the hard length, on off. Bennett gets his hands high to power it through the off side. Gets it high on the splice of the bat and it balloons wide of cover for one.

Wide! Pace off and dug in short, over middle. It is too high and Brian Bennett lets it go.

On a hard length, on off. Myers flashes at the ball. Gets an outside edge and it goes down to deep third for one.

Full and on off, this is driven through covers for a single.

Mohammad Saifuddin (1-0-8-0) returns to the attack.

Good running between the sticks! Change of pace from Taskin Ahmed, on off. Dion Myers works it to the vacant mid-wicket region and gets a brace.

Halt! The physio is out to check on Nasum Ahmed. The ice pack is out. Nasum is going off the field to receive further treatment.

Ouch, the ball hits the face of the fielder! A half-volley, just outside off. Brian Bennett drives it hard towards the extra cover fielder. Nasum Ahmed is the man who gets down on one knee to field it to his right, but the ball kicks up off the practice pitches and catches him on his right cheekbone. The ball gets parried toward mid off and the batter gets a single.

Full-length delivery, angling in, on off. Brian Bennett clears his front foot and drills it back to the bowler. Ahmed does well to get low and stop it.

Pace off and a bit into the wicket, on off. Myers punches it in front of mid off and hurries to the other end.

A flash and a miss. Bowled on a length, outside off. Dion throws his hands at the ball but is beaten for pace.

Hits the deck hard, on off. Myers hops to force it away but ends up chopping it down on the off side.

Flatter and fuller, outside off, Dion Myers lunges and drives it to deep cover for another single.

Full, on middle, Brian Bennett rolls his wrists and clips it to deep square leg to get a single.

Pitches it up, a touch fuller, around off, Dion Myers mistimes his flick to the vacant short mid-wicket region and gets a single.

Fuller and on middle. Myers reaches out in front and tickles it wide of short fine leg. Taskin Ahmed moves to his right but does not get low enough and lets it through, allowing the batters to take the second run.

FOUR! Put away. Shorter and at the hips, too straight by Hasan. Myers pivots on the back foot and pulls it behind square leg for his first boundary.

The call is for two and they get it. Short and a bit of turn, on the pads. Myers works it right between deep square leg and deep mid-wicket and comes back for the second run.

End of Powerplay! Zimbabwe have bossed it, with Brian Bennett leading the charge. The hosts have set up a good platform, but it will be interesting to see how they play in the middle overs. Also, Mahedi Hasan is back on.

At pace, nice and full, on middle. Myers pushes it down to long on for just a single. After 6 overs, Zimbabwe are 54/1.

Bennett shows his cards early as he moves a long way towards the leg side. Saifuddin responds by following him with a slower ball on the fuller side. Brian smears it to deep mid-wicket for another single.

Hits the good length, on middle. Dion stays back and tucks it wide of mid-wicket for one more.

Good effort. Floated up there by Saifuddin, on middle. Bennett firms the drive down the strip. Mohammad Saifuddin sticks out his right boot on the follow-through and prevents the ball from going past him. It is parried beside the wicket on the leg side. They cross.

Fuller and outside off. Brian throws his hands at the ball but misses.

FOUR! In the gap! Fractionally short, on off. Bennett arches back and rides the bounce nicely by getting his hands high. Punches it to the right of the man at short third for a four. The 50 is up for Zimbabwe.

Flighted up, on off and middle. Dion eases the drive to mid on.

A bit of air given, fuller and on middle. Myers gets down on a knee for the slog sweep. He does not quite get hold of it and the ball lands safely in the vacant deep mid-wicket region. Two runs taken.

Full and attacking the front pad, Myers defends it out.

A run saved. On a good length, on middle. Bennett gets inside the line of the ball to play the lap. Gets it high on the bat but manages to clear short fine leg. Two fielders give chase and one of them dives to flick it behind towards his teammate.

Fuller and at the sticks. Bennett drills it down the strip. Nasum dives to his right to make the stop.

FOUR! Nicely done. Pushed through, short and on middle. Brian Bennett presses back in the crease and cuts it late to play it behind point for a boundary.

Was there an edge? Some of the Bangladesh players seem to have heard something. Rana dishes out fuller in length, closer to the off stump. Myers pushes away from his body and the ball whistles past the outside edge. A wicket and just the wide off it. Just the kind of over Bangladesh were looking for after the early punch landed by Zimbabwe.

Goes past the bat! Rana delivers it on a back of a length, outside off. Myers has a tentative poke at the ball and is beaten past the outside edge.

Fuller in length, wider on off. Myers lets it go through.

The new batter is Dion Myers.

OUT! CAUGHT! Nahid Rana strikes in his first over. Rana hits the hard length, over off. Marumani swivels on the back foot and does not quite go through with the shot. Plays a half-hearted pull and just checks his shot. It travels all the way down to deep square leg, where Saif Hassan runs in off the ropes and gets low to take a safe catch. End of a 37-run opening stand.

A big swing and a miss. Full and going across the left-hander. Tadiwanashe throws the kitchen sink at it but can only connect with thin air.

Attacks the stumps, on the fuller side. Marumani brings his bat out in front and keeps it out.

Wide! Drifts down leg, Marumani hops inside the line to play the glance but misses.

Pace is back on through Nahid Rana.

Fuller and at the pads. Marumani clips it wide of mid-wicket and retains the strike with a single.

Around off, a bit short, Tadiwanashe taps it to cover-point.

Flat and short, on middle. Bennett wrists it through mid-wicket for a single.

Pushed through, on middle. Tadiwanashe nudges it wide of square leg. A bit of hesitation initially, but Marumani puts the afterburners on and gets home at the bowling end.

SIX! Banged away. Mahedi corrects his line but errs in length. This is a bit too short, on off. Marumani presses onto the back foot and pulls it to the right of the man at deep square leg for half a dozen more.

SIX! Welcomed with a six. Fired in at the pads from around the wicket. Tadiwanashe gets down on a knee and sweeps it aerially behind square leg. The ball just about goes over the fence.

Mahedi Hasan comes into the attack now.

Missed out. A half-tracker, slower through the air, outside off. Bennett shapes up to force it through the off side but is early into the shot and mistimes it to cover.

SIX! All the way this time! Nasum spears it in at the sticks. Not as short as the previous ball but enough for Bennett to get under it. Brian presses back, clears the front leg and swats it over deep mid-wicket for a six.

FOUR! Up and over! Nasum drops it short again, on off. Bennett rocks onto the back foot quickly and plays the pull over mid-wicket for his third boundary.

Slower and shorter, on off. Brian Bennett frees his arms and slaps it past the diving cover fielder for a couple of runs.

Darted in again, on a good length, on middle and leg. Bennett is tucked up for room and is beaten on the inside edge on the block.

Rappped on the pads! Not given. That seemed to be going down leg. Drifting in towards the front pad. Bennett attempts the sweep but the ball is too full for the shot and he wears it on the front pad.

Spin from the other end as Nasum Ahmed will share the attack.

Pushed across off, on a back of a length. Marumani gets on his toes and angles it to gully.

In the channel, on a nagging length. Bennett hangs back to deal with it. The ball straightens off the deck to catch the outside edge and it goes down to deep third for a run.

Change of bat for Brian Bennett.

FOUR! Innovative and effective. Fuller in length, outside off. Bennett walks across the stumps and hangs low to play the scoop. Gets it off the toe end and that results in him getting more height than distance, but the ball has enough legs to beat the chasing short fine leg fielder.

Sliding onto the pads. Brian turns it to mid-wicket.

Drags the length back, on off. Bennett stands tall on top of the bounce and crunches it to cover-point.

FOUR! No sighters needed. Brian Bennett and Zimbabwe are up and running. Pitched up by Taskin, a hint of away shape. Bennett cashes in on the width as he extends his hands and cracks the drive through covers.

Done with the pre-match formalities! We can see the Bangladesh players spread out from the huddle and take up their respective field positions. Brian Bennett and Tadiwanashe Marumani are the two openers for Zimbabwe. Taskin Ahmed has the new ball in hand and is raring to go. Let's play...

We are not far away from the start of the game, but before that, the players from both sides line up for the national anthems. It will be Bangladesh's first, followed by that of Zimbabwe.

A quick word - Zimbabwe's Blessing Muzarabani has caught up with Ed Rainsford. Blessing says his plan to bowl the opposition depends on the venue. Shares that he looks to mix up his lengths to put doubt in the minds of the batters. Regarding his bowling improvements, he says he has been working on slower deliveries to improve in the death overs.

PITCH REPORT - Sikandar Bakht shares that it isn't as cool as it was at this time last year, with the sun beating down. Ed Rainsford joins him and he adds that the large playing area offers plenty of opportunities for batters to pick up twos and even threes, while due to the altitude, the ball will travel nicely.  Ed also points out that the surface has a mosaic-like appearance, which could result in some inconsistency. He says the opening batters will need to see off the first 2 or 3 overs. Adds those willing to bat smart rather than simply trying to blast the bowling will reap the rewards. Rainsford believes this is a difficult ground on which to defend a total and reckons Zimbabwe will need a minimum of 180 to feel comfortable.

Bangladesh (Playing XI) - Towhid Hridoy (C), Tanzid Hasan, Parvez Hossain Emon, Saif Hassan, Nurul Hasan (WK), Yasir Ali, Taskin Ahmed, Mohammad Saifuddin, Nahid Rana, Mahedi Hasan and Nasum Ahmed.

Zimbabwe (Playing XI) - Brian Bennett, Tadiwanashe Marumani, Dion Myers, Sikandar Raza (C), Ryan Burl, Milton Shumba, Clive Madande (WK), Tashinga Musekiwa, Brad Evans, Richard Ngarava and Blessing Muzarabani.

The skipper of Zimbabwe - Sikandar Raza starts off by saying that they wanted to bat first anyway. He reckons Bulawayo presents a different challenge compared to Harare. Adds that the wicket looks very good, but he expects the track to slow down in the second innings. Shares that they will look to put a good total on the board and try to defend it down. Raza expects this track to be much slower than the Harare track. About the team composition, he says that they are going with three pacers today.

The captain of Bangladesh - Towhid Hridoy says that it is a day game, so they want to take some advantage of the conditions with the ball early on. Adds that it is all about momentum and they want to continue that from the last game in the ODI series. Mentions that Nasum Ahmed and Mahedi Hasan are in the side as the spinners.

TOSS - Sikandar Raza and Towhid Hridoy are present in the middle. The coin goes up and comes down in favour of Hridoy. Bangladesh elect to BOWL first.

A test of depth - Bangladesh come into the series on the back of a 3-0 whitewash at the hands of Australia at home. Defeats of that nature have become increasingly rare given the dominance they have enjoyed on home soil in recent years. With a few of their T20I regulars unavailable due to franchise commitments, the Tigers will have to cope with a depleted squad. Adding to the challenge is their return to Bulawayo for the first time since 2013, with none of the current squad having played an international match at the venue. Stay tuned as the flip of the coin is not far away.

Building on momentum - It is Zimbabwe's first T20I assignment since their impressive campaign at the T20 World Cup earlier this year, where they punched above their weight by beating the likes of Australia and Sri Lanka to progress beyond the group stage. While there have been leadership changes in the Test and ODI setups, Sikandar Raza continues to lead the side in the shortest format as Zimbabwe look to build on the momentum from that campaign.

Hello, one and all - From Harare, the caravan has moved to Bulawayo for the three-match T20I series. The one-off Test and the ODI series both went Zimbabwe's way, and Bangladesh will be eager to ensure they don't head home empty-handed by signing off with a T20I series win.

... MATCH DAY ...

Confident hosts target winning start - Fresh off a 2-1 ODI series triumph, Zimbabwe and Bangladesh now shift their focus to the shortest format as the three-match T20I series gets underway at Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo. The hosts couldn't have asked for better preparation, having already clinched both the one-off Test and the ODI series, and now have the opportunity to complete a memorable clean sweep across formats. Their rise in T20 cricket has been equally impressive. Under Sikandar Raza's leadership, Zimbabwe reached the Super Eight stage of the 2026 ICC Men's T20 World Cup for the first time, producing memorable victories over Sri Lanka and Australia to announce themselves as one of the format's fastest-improving teams. Bangladesh, meanwhile, arrive looking to bounce back after suffering a 3-0 home whitewash against Australia. With Litton Das unavailable, Towhid Hridoy takes charge of a youthful squad hoping to halt Zimbabwe's momentum and make a winning start to the series. A balanced squad firing together - Zimbabwe head into the series with one of their most settled T20I squads in recent memory. Brian Bennett has rapidly become one of the country's brightest talents, following up his breakthrough performances at the T20 World Cup. Alongside him, Ben Curran has brought much-needed stability at the top, while the experienced Dion Myers and Clive Madande continue to provide calmness in the middle order. At the centre of it all remains captain Sikandar Raza. Whether rebuilding after early wickets or accelerating towards the finish, Raza continues to be Zimbabwe's biggest match-winner and one of the leading all-rounders in world cricket. The hosts also possess a bowling attack capable of troubling any batting lineup. Blessing Muzarabani has established himself as one of the premier fast bowlers outside the traditional powerhouses, using his height and bounce to great effect, while Richard Ngarava offers left-arm variety and Brad Evans has become increasingly effective at the death. Evans also provides power-hitting ability down the order, which was on show in the ODIs, where he won the Player of the Series award as well. Ryan Burl and Raza complete a well-rounded attack with their spin options. Zimbabwe's biggest improvement over the last year has been their ability to win collectively rather than relying on individual brilliance, a key reason behind their successful World Cup campaign and recent series victories over Bangladesh. A young squad faces a stern challenge - Bangladesh begin a new chapter under stand-in captain Towhid Hridoy, but plenty of familiar questions remain. Their 3-0 series defeat to Australia once again exposed the batting frailties that have held them back in T20 cricket, with repeated collapses and an inability to convert promising starts into match-winning totals. Hridoy, one of Bangladesh's most reliable middle-order batters in recent seasons, now carries the added responsibility of leading a relatively inexperienced side. There is no shortage of talent in the squad. Tanzid Hasan and Saif Hassan have the ability to provide explosive starts, Yasir Ali offers finishing power, while the return of Mosaddek Hossain strengthens both departments as an experienced spin-bowling all-rounder. Bangladesh's greatest strength, however, remains their bowling. Taskin Ahmed's experience, Nahid Rana's express pace, Shoriful Islam's ability to swing the new ball and the attacking leg-spin of Rishad Hossain provide a well-rounded attack capable of exploiting Bulawayo's conditions. If the visitors are to level the playing field, their bowlers will need to make early inroads before Zimbabwe's experienced middle order settles. A rivalry taking a new turn - Bangladesh hold a comfortable 17-8 advantage in the T20I head-to-head record, highlighting the dominance they have enjoyed in this rivalry over the years. However, recent results suggest the gap between the two sides has never been narrower. Zimbabwe have developed into a far more confident and competitive outfit, particularly in home conditions, and their performances over the past year have shown they can consistently challenge higher-ranked opponents. Conditions in focus - Queens Sports Club has traditionally offered a fair contest between bat and ball. The new ball generally provides seam movement and extra bounce for the fast bowlers before the pitch settles into an excellent batting surface. Spinners often come into the game during the middle overs because of the large square boundaries, while evening dew can make chasing slightly easier. Teams batting first will likely target a total in the region of 165-180, although early wickets with the new ball have often proved the biggest factor in deciding T20Is at this venue. Team form (Last 5 completed T20Is, recent first) - ZIM - LLLWW | BAN - LLLLW. All set for an intriguing contest - Zimbabwe will look to carry their recent momentum into another format and continue their impressive rise in T20 cricket, while Bangladesh have the perfect opportunity to put their recent struggles behind them and make a fresh start under new leadership. With confidence on one side, pride on the other, and plenty of quality spread across both squads, the stage is set for a fascinating contest to kick off what promises to be a closely fought three-match series in Bulawayo.