Zimbabwe opener Ben Curran produced the finest innings of his ODI career with a magnificent unbeaten century against Bangladesh in the second ODI at the Harare Sports Club on Wednesday. His composed knock helped the hosts recover from a difficult position and post 247/6 in 50 overs, giving themselves a strong chance to seal the three-match series after winning the opening encounter. As Curran reached his maiden ODI hundred, social media was flooded with praise from fans who hailed the left-hander’s calm temperament and match-winning effort.
Ben Curran rescues Zimbabwe with career-best knock
Zimbabwe’s innings revolved around Curran, who remained unbeaten on 111 after batting through the innings. The left-handed opener displayed remarkable patience while also punishing loose deliveries, ensuring Zimbabwe never completely lost control despite Bangladesh picking up wickets at regular intervals. Curran found valuable support from Brad Evans, who played a crucial unbeaten knock of 58. The duo stitched together an important partnership in the closing stages, frustrating the Bangladesh bowlers and accelerating the scoring rate when Zimbabwe needed it the most.
The partnership proved crucial as Zimbabwe finished on 247/6 in their allotted 50 overs, a total that looked challenging on a surface offering something for both batters and bowlers. For Bangladesh, captain Mehidy Hasan Miraz was the pick of the bowlers, returning figures of 2/32 while maintaining tight control through his spell. However, the visitors struggled to break Curran’s concentration, with the opener surviving till the final ball of the innings to complete a memorable century.
Bangladesh now require 248 runs to level the series and force a decider, while Zimbabwe are eyeing a series-clinching victory after taking a 1-0 lead in the opening ODI.
Curran’s century quickly became one of the biggest talking points among cricket fans online. Supporters praised the opener for delivering under pressure and guiding Zimbabwe to a competitive score against a strong Bangladesh bowling attack. Many fans described the innings as one of Zimbabwe’s best batting performances in recent ODI cricket, highlighting Curran’s maturity and ability to anchor the innings from start to finish. Others pointed out how his partnership with Evans transformed the match after Zimbabwe appeared in danger of posting a below-par total.
Here’s how fans reacted:
Ben Curran made the best decision by leaving England & shifted to Zimbabwe.
In England, he never had any chance to play for national team. Never got near The Hundred, at best was getting some county games.
But now at Zimbabwe, he can create his international legacy♥️🔥 pic.twitter.com/jRysoG8Cb6
— Rajiv (@Rajiv1841) July 9, 2026
Ben Curran is the Quickest to record two Centuries (in just 10 inns) for Zimbabwe in men’s ODI.
Prev fastest to record two Centuries for ZIM in men’s ODI: Neil Johnson in 12 inns#ZIMvBAN #ZIMvsBAN
— sudharshan sridharan (@sudharshansrid1) July 9, 2026
Ben Curran 💓 #ZIMvsBAN
— Rahul K. Narayan (@Astrocalf1111) July 9, 2026
Fantastic ODI Hundred for Ben Curran, 2nd in ODIs.
Scored 104*(125) with 9 Fours against Bangladesh at Harare. 💥🤯 pic.twitter.com/dOs3fSvL89
— Hamza Khan (@Hamzakhan17_) July 9, 2026
3rd ODI Century by Ben Curran for Zimbabwe vs Bangladesh 🏏🔥
📷: FanCode pic.twitter.com/yiQLXVAqHi
— CricInformer (@CricInformer) July 9, 2026
BEN CURRAN YOU BEAUTY pic.twitter.com/2339BvAG1x
— ~ U D I T ~ (@Merovaeous) July 9, 2026
Congratulations to Ben Curran for his well executed second ODI century. He becomes only the fifth Zimbabwean to bat through an ODI innings. pic.twitter.com/li1oMew4EZ
— m a y o r 🌴 (@bxllyville) July 9, 2026
Ben Curran 💯
— FC wangu🥀 (@jossychiedza) July 9, 2026
What a century by Ben Curran! 🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/VS5f2O7iu4
— Troll Cricket (@Suhaiahmad786) July 9, 2026
Second ODI hundred for Zimbabwean opener Ben Curran 💯
Zimbabwe lose regular wickets but he carries the bat and scores 111 off 135 with nine boundaries against Bangladesh in the second ODI. What an innings of patience. #ZIMvBAN #BenCurran pic.twitter.com/5BnHHWpJxd— Muhammad Areeb Uddin Sheikh Areeb Cricket World (@areeb_7official) July 9, 2026
