50 overs Zimbabwe 309 for 6 (Ebrahim 121, Wishart 68) beat Bangladesh 267 for 9 (Bashar 66, S.Hossain 52, Mahmud 50) by 42 runs
Scorecard Zimbabwe cruised to victory in the second one-dayer despite a spirited performance from the Bangladeshi middle-order, which carried them to within 43 runs of their huge target of 310. Habibul Bashar (66), Sanwar Hossain (52) and Khaled Mahmud (50) all batted perkily but Zimbabwe's late surge meant there was never any real chance of an upset.

Bangladesh's 267 for 9 was their second highest ODI score and was based around a fluent fourth-wicket partnership of 115 between Bashur and Hossain. But neither batsman was able to fully cut loose and despite captain Khaled's crisp 37-ball half-century the required rate soon spiralled out of control. The Bangladeshi cause was not helped by the unfortunate run-outs of Hossain and opener Al-Shahriar.

The motley Zimbabwean bowlers performed steadily as a unit, picking up wickets at key moments. Sean Ervine, with 2 for 39, claimed the best figures but nobody took any real hammer.

Earlier, a silky maiden international century by Man-of-the-Match Dion Ebrahim and another forceful contribution from Craig Wishart (68 off 60 balls) had propelled Zimbabwe to an imposing 309 for 6, their highest one-day score since they made 310 for 6 against the same opponents at Dhaka in 1998-99.

The difference between the sides was ultimately the bowling of the hapless Mohammad Rafique. He conceded 82 runs from ten wicketless overs, the last of which was pummelled for 22 by Heath Streak to bring the Zimbabwean innings to a rollicking close.

This was Zimbabwe's second consecutive one-international victory after their record run of 16 successive defeats. Like England earlier in the winter, they seem to be rediscovering their one-day form and confidence by crushing much weaker opposition.

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