Ben Curran struck a century as Zimbabwe beat Bangladesh by 13 runs in Harare on Thursday to take a winning 2-0 lead in a three-match one-day international series.

Advertisement

An unbeaten 111 by opener Curran propelled the home side to 247 for six and the tourists were all out for 234 off the first ball of the penultimate over.

Advertisement

Zimbabwe won the first ODI by 25 runs on Monday and the sides meet again on Saturday in a dead rubber. The teams then move to Bulawayo for a three-match Twenty20 series from July 15.

Curran, a brother of England internationals Sam and Tom, became the seventh Zimbabwean to bat through an entire 300-ball ODI innings.

His stay at the crease could have been much shorter if Towhid Hridoy had not fumbled an attempted catch at short cover with the Zimbabwean having made just four runs.

With Zimbabwe 66 for four, Curran and unbeaten lower-order batter Brad Evans (58) put on 99 runs in a seventh-wicket partnershp that ultimately proved decisive.

Advertisement

Curran has never struck a six in an ODI and that record remained. He did hit nine fours off 135 balls in an innings that became progressively bolder. Evans hit five sixes and two fours.

Bangladesh lost two wickets for 38 runs before opener Tanzid Hasan (57) and middle-order Hridoy (60) combined for an 84-run third-wicket stand, lifting the visitors to 122-3.

Needing 14 runs from their final two overs for victory with one wicket standing, Bangladeshi hopes were dashed when captain Mehidy Hasan Miraz (27) was caught by Evans near deep square leg.

Advertisement

Brief scores

Zimbabwe 247-6 in 50 overs (B. Curran 111 not out, B. Evans 58 not out; Mehidy Hasan Miraz 2-32, Taskin Ahmed 2-57) v Bangladesh 234-9 in 48.1 overs (Towhid Hridoy 60, Tanzid Hasan 57; R. Ngarava 3-55)

Result: Zimbabwe won by 13 runs

Advertisement

Series: Zimbabwe have winning 2-0 lead with one match to play

Also Read: Live Cricket Score

Toss: Bangladesh

About the Author

AFP News
Agence France-Presse (AFP) - Global News Leader AFP News: Agence France-Presse (AFP) is a world-renowned international news agency delivering real-time, accurate, and unbiased news coverage across politics, business, sports, technology, and global affairs. Founded in 1835, AFP operates in 151 countries, providing breaking news, investigative journalism, and multimedia content in multiple languages. With a vast network of correspondents, AFP ensures fast, verified, and high-quality news reporting, making it a trusted source for media, businesses, and governments worldwide. Stay updated with global headlines, exclusive reports, and in-depth analysis Read More
Latest Cricket News