Hridoy's maiden fifty helps Bangladesh beat Zimbabwe

Towhid Hridoy has hit his maiden half-century as Bangladesh beat Zimbabwe by nine runs in the third T20 to take an unassailable 3-0 lead in the five-match series.

Bangladesh compiled 8-165 with Hridoy hitting a 38-ball 57, and then restricted Zimbabwe to 9-156.

Faraz Akram and Wellington Masakadza, the two changes Zimbabwe made for this match, combined for a national record 54 runs for the ninth wicket, but Bangladesh had too many.

Put in on Tuesday in Chittagong Bangladesh were reduced to 2-29 after losing out-of-form opener Liton Das and captain Najmul Hossain Shanto. Hridoy counterattacked. After Tanzid Hasan was out for 21 he put on 87 off 57 balls with Jaker Ali (44 off 34).

Fast bowler Blessing Muzarabani, who claimed 3-14 from four overs, broke the partnership yorking both batters.

In reply, Zimbabwe's top-order failed to click again as four of the first five were out for a single-digit score.

Opener Tadiwanashe Marumani (31 off 26) provided some resistance but when occasional bowler Mahmudullah dismissed him Zimbabwe were 5-66.

With Mohammad Saifuddin taking 3-42 and Taskin Ahmed conceding 1-21 off four overs, Zimbabwe had too much to do despite the late hitting of Akram. He ended unbeaten on 34 off 19, hitting two fours and two sixes.