ZIM vs BAN Match Highlights: Zimbabwean team fell to Bangladesh by 105 runs on Wednesday in the third one-day international in Harare, Sikandar Raza’s stellar run came to an end with a golden duck. When Bangladesh was sent in to bat, Afif Hossain scored an unbeaten 85 to help the team reach 256-9 in 50 overs. Mustafizur Rahman subsequently grabbed 4-17 as Zimbabwe was dismissed for just 151 runs in 32.2 overs. Last weekend, Raza, a Zimbabwean batsman born in Pakistan, led his team to a 2-0 victory in the three-game series by scoring unbeaten runs of 135 and 117 in outstanding run chases for two five-wicket triumphs.

But the 36-year-old, whose early ambition to join the Pakistan Air Force as a fighter pilot was frustrated by an eyesight issue, has found a match in ODI rookie Ebadot Hossain.

When Zimbabwe was 17-3 and facing its first delivery, Raza was struck by an inswinging yorker that flattened the middle and off stumps. Although it would have been good to score more runs and win once again, Raza stated, “My attitude does not alter when I fail to do so.”

“I am grateful for the opportunity to play cricket for Zimbabwe, to enjoy life and be in good health. India will be here next week for three one-day internationals and all of us are looking forward to that huge challenge.”

Tamim Iqbal, the captain of Bangladesh, praised Afif, stating, “I felt the pitch was terrific again today and I thought Afif batted in a really nice manner.

“We were under pressure, but Afif never appeared stressed out when he was on strike. He played baseball really well.

Following Sikandar Raza’s departure, Zimbabwe was in serious trouble as wickets were falling often until tail-enders Richard Ngarava and Victor Nyauchi joined forces and put up 68 runs for the winning wicket.

Ngarava, who is unbeaten in scoring, hit 34 points, including a six and six fours, while Nyauchi added 26. In addition to Taijal Islam’s two wickets and Ebadot’s two, Mustafizur also claimed four for the visitors.

At the conclusion of the six-match trip to southern Africa, Hossain faced 81 balls and smashed two sixes and six fours to help seventh-ranked Bangladesh—eight places higher than Zimbabwe—regain some pride.

The only foreign batsman to reach fifty runs was opener Anamul Haque, who made 76 before edging a Luke Jongwe delivery outside off stump to young wicketkeeper Clive Madame. Anamul scored more runs in his innings than Afif did per ball, and he also hit four sixes and six fours.

After scoring 303 runs in the first ODI and 290 in the second, Bangladesh achieved their lowest total in the series thanks to a cautious 39 from Mahmudullah Riyad. For Zimbabwe, who have won nine out of 11 ODI and T20 games since former captain Dave Houghton started a second spell as coach in June, Jongwe and Brad Evans both got two wickets.

Prior to the ODI games, Zimbabwe defeated Bangladesh in a T20 series, 2-1, after winning the nail-biting championship game by 10 runs. Zimbabwe will play host to India in a three-match ODI series starting on August 18 at the Harare Sports Club after a little hiatus.