Bangladesh produced a clinical all-round performance to defeat Zimbabwe by four wickets in the third and final T20I at the Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo, clinching the three-match series 2-1. After losing the opening game, the visitors bounced back with consecutive victories to register their first T20I series triumph of 2026.
The result also spoiled a landmark occasion for Zimbabwe captain Sikandar Raza, who became the country’s most-capped international cricketer with 314 appearances across all formats. Despite showing promise with both bat and ball throughout the tour, Zimbabwe fell short in the decisive encounter as Bangladesh held their nerve in a tense finish.
Dion Myers’ fighting fifty lifts Zimbabwe to 143
Asked to bat first, Zimbabwe lost an early wicket but recovered through a crucial 71-run partnership between Brian Bennett and Dion Myers. Bennett provided an aggressive start before departing, allowing Myers to take charge of the innings. The right-hander played one of his finest T20I knocks, scoring 73 while striking timely boundaries and rotating the strike effectively. His innings accounted for more than half of Zimbabwe’s total, but he received little support from the middle order as wickets continued to tumble at regular intervals.
Bangladesh’s bowlers kept the pressure on throughout the innings. Mohammad Saifuddin claimed two wickets, while Taskin Ahmed delivered an outstanding final over to restrict Zimbabwe to 143/7. The visitors conceded just 25 runs while taking four wickets across the last four overs, preventing the hosts from posting a more challenging total.
Tanzid Hasan anchors Bangladesh to series victory
Bangladesh’s chase was built around another mature innings from opener Tanzid Hasan, who continued his outstanding tour with a match-winning 66. After surviving the early spell from Richard Ngarava and Blessing Muzarabani, Tanzid gradually settled in before accelerating at the right time.
He stitched together valuable partnerships with Parvez Hossain Emon and Towhid Hridoy to keep Bangladesh firmly on course despite the required rate creeping up during the middle overs. Tanzid brought up his half-century in 45 deliveries before guiding the visitors within touching distance of victory.
Zimbabwe threatened to script a dramatic comeback in the final over when Brad Evans dismissed Mossadek Hossain and Saifuddin in successive deliveries. However, Bangladesh held their composure as Mehidy Hasan struck a boundary to seal a four-wicket victory with two balls remaining. With the win, Bangladesh completed a remarkable comeback after trailing 1-0 in the series, while Zimbabwe will now shift their focus to their upcoming T20I assignment against India.
