Naeem Islam Guides Bangladesh To Thrilling Win

Naeem Islam Guides Bangladesh To Thrilling Win

Naeem Islam, here seen jumping for joy during the ICC World Twenty20, played a match-winning innings for Bangladesh in Chittagong.

©Action Images / Andrew Boyers Livepic

Bangladesh 222-9 (Naeem Islam 73no) beat
Zimbabwe 221-9 (Taylor 118no) by one wicket
Scorecard
Fifth One-Day International, Chittagong

Naeem Islam's maiden half-century steered Bangladesh to a thrilling one-wicket win that sealed a 4-1 series victory over Zimbabwe in the fifth and final One-Day International in Chittagong.

Islam, whose previous best was 46, stroked an unbeaten 73 as his side passed Zimbabwe's 221 for nine with six balls to spare.

Brendan Taylor had ealier hit an unbeaten 118 to help Zimbabwe set a challenging total and when Bangladesh were reduced to 187 for nine in the 45th over in reply, Zimbabwe were the favourites to take the win.

Islam had other ideas, hitting four fours and four sixes, putting on 35 with Nazmul Hossain, who scored one in four balls, to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat.

A number of Bangladeshis made starts, Mahmudullah chipping in with 33 and Mushfiqur Rahim 23 and it had been a similar story in Zimbabwe's innings.

In making his maiden ODI century, Taylor hit seven fours and four sixes as Bangladesh again loaded their side with spinners, five of them having a bowl alongside sole pacer Hossain.

Elton Chigumbura supported Taylor with 38 but few others could get going as Abdur Razzak, Shakib Al Hasan and Mahmudullah all picked up three wickets.

© Cricket World 2009

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