Bangladesh in Zimbabwe, 2009

Zimbabwe defeated Bangladesh by 69 runs in the third ODI at the Queen's Sports Club in Bulawayo today. Hamilton Masakdza's maiden ODI century and a classy 94 from wicket-keeper batsman Brendan Taylor guided Zimbabwe to a commanding 323 for 7 after Bangladesh Captain Shakib Al Hasan invited the hosts to bat first on a placid surface.

Chasing 324 runs for victory and series win, Bangladesh top order made a complete mess by playing rash shots and Bangladesh were reduced to 39 for 4 in just 7.4 overs. Bangladesh never regained the momentum and eventually got bundled out for 254 in 44.2 overs conceding a 69 run defeat. Raqibul Hasan (78) and tail-ender Mahbubul Alam (59) tried in vain to resist the spirited Zimbabwe charge but did not get any support from their team mates as they indulged themselves with some senseless batting.

The 4th ODI of the series will be played at the same venue on Sunday.

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