DHAKA, May 10, 2024 (BSS) - Bangladesh overcame a sensational batting collapse that saw them losing all 10 wickets for 42 runs to edge Zimbabwe past by five runs in the fourth T20 game today at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium.

 
The hosts looked to head toward a big total when openers Tanzid Hasan Tamim and Soumya Sarkar combined for a 101-run for the opening stand but the batting collapse meant they were wrapped up for a meager 143 in 19.5 overs.

However a strong bowling attack, led by Shakib Al Hasan, saved them from the blushes by bowling Zimbabwe out for 138 in 19.4 overs to clinch the victory and take 4-0 lead in the five-match series.

Shakib, on his return to T20 format after 10 months, claimed 4-35 and were ably supported by fast bowlers Mustafizur Rahman who snared 3-19 and Taskin Ahmed who had figures of 2-20.

Fast bowler Luke Jongwe was the wrecker-in-chief with 3-20 while Richard Nagarava and Brian Bennet grabbed two wickets apiece to wreck havoc on Bangladesh.

Put into bat first, Tanzid and Soumya sent the almost packed stadium into delirium by tearing apart Zimbabwe bowlers in brutal fashion.

Their aggressive batting moved the scoreboard fluently to help Bangladesh compile 59 runs in the first powerplay.

Tanzid who hit his second fifty in the series made team-high 52 off 37 with seven fours and one six and Soumya, returned to the squad after recovering from an injury, hammered three fours and two sixes for his 34 ball-41.

Tanzid was the aggressor as he launched a spectacular attack right from the words go and raised his fifty for 34 balls when he drove Faraz Akram to cover-point for a single.

But his dismissal sparked the collapse as he skied a length delivery of Jongwe to the point region where Jonathon Campbell completed the catch, running back from extra cover.

Jongwe gave the side a double delight in the same over, trapping Soumya Sarkar for leg-before.

Bangladesh's batting then fell like a pack of cards and only Towhid Hridoy could manage to reach double digit figure.

Offspinner Brian Bennet pegged back Bangladesh further when he used his arm ball trick well to remove Shakib (1) and skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto (2) in the same over, leaving the hosts 123-5.

Bangladesh never could recover from the collapse and were bowled out below 150.
 
Like the past three matches, Zimbabwe batting line up failed to come with the terms again as they crumbled under the sustained pressure.

Taskin struck in the first over to hand Bennet four-ball duck before getting the better of Zimbabwe skipper Sikandar Raza for 17 in his second over.

Shakib then took the wicket of opener Tadiwanashe Marumani after he made 14.

Jonathon Campbell resisted and got the support from Ryan Burl. The duo played some aggressive shots to briefly revive the hopes of Zimbabwe.

However Mustazifur's introduction dented Zimbabwe further. He used his stock weapon cutter effectively to strike twice-removing Burl (19) and Jongwe (1) in three balls to leave the visitors at shellshocked.

Shakib got the better of Campell who hit one four and two sixes for a team-best 31 to take the side close to the victory.

The star allrounder then completed his four-for, wrapping up Zimbabwe's innings with two wickets in the last over as the visitors needed 14 runs for a victory.

The final match is on Sunday.