The New Nation - Internet Edition

BSS, Chittagong

Bowlers reign supreme as wickets fell like nine pin but could stop Bangladesh from recording an emphatic six-wicket win over hapless Zimbabwe in the 4th ODI series match held at Zohur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium here on Tuesday.

Tigers have taken unassailable 3-1 lead in five-match after the win with 5th One-dayer slated for to be held at the same venue on November 5.

Zimbabwe, not only allowed the host Bangladesh to clinch the ODI series with a match in a hand, but also crashed to the fifth ever lowest total in one-day history.

The celebration of the partisan crowd were dented somewhat as Tigers in their turn scored the required the runs in 11.5 overs but in the process lost four wickets scoring 49 runs, providing some respite as less embarrassment for the tourist.

Bangladesh captain Shakib Al Hasan said he was happy to clinch the series but unhappy as his side lost too many wickets chasing such a small target.

"I am happy that we won the series with a match remaining but my dream of winning an ODI by 10 wickets were thwarted as our batters also struggle against the rival spinners.

Both captains Shakib and stand-in captain Hamilton Masakadza admitted they failed to read the wicket however it was a difficult wicket but batters from both sides committed mistakes to hasten their downfall.

Hamilton Masakadza won the toss and decided to bat and with in 24.5 overs they were bundle out for a paltry 44 runs and could have been in for even more embarrassment, had Tigers not floored three catches.

In-form Masakadza, decision to bat, soon turned into a grief as his attempt to hit over the mid-on was well caught by Mohammad Ashraful, triggering the start of the procession of wickets.

Left-arm spinner Abdur Razzak got into the act, forcing Brendon Taylor to offer an easy return catch. In the next over, Nazmul the only seamer playing for Bangladesh , induced world record holder in ODI batting Charles Coventry to edge behind for 1 and when Mark Vermulen was trapped by Razzak in front of the wicket, Zimbabwe found themselves reeling at 8 for four wickets.

Malcolm Waller with 13 and Stuart Matsikenyeri with 11 stopped the total rot to take the total to 32 but after their dismissals world number one all rounder Shakib Al Hasan and the other left arm spinner Enamul Haque Junior polished off the tail to send Zimbabwe crashing to the 5th lowest total in ODI. However, Zimbabwe also holds the record for scoring the lowest total in ODI of 33 runs against Sri Lanka .

When Bangladesh started their reply, they seems to be in a big hurry as the two opener Tamim Iqbal and Zunaed Siddique rattled up 33 for no loss in the sixth over.

Zimbabwean skipper in desperation brought on his spinners Ray Price and Graeme Cremer, who answered their captain's prayer to the dismay of the home crowd, they captured four wickets (Tamim 22 off 26 balls, Zunaed 8, Ashraful 0, Naeem Islam 0) Bangladesh scalps before reaching 49 in 11.5 overs putting brakes on full swing party for the local fans.

Rokibul with 9 not out with a over boundary and Mushfiqur Rahim with 2 not out were the two local batsmen at the crease when Bangladesh reach their target.

Nazmul Hossain, who started the slide with his 2 wickets for 10 runs and took a brilliant catch, was adjudged as man of the match.