HARARE, Aug 4 - Gregory Strydom scored his maiden
half-century to guide Zimbabwe to a series-clinching win over
Bangladesh in the fourth one-day international in Harare on
Friday.
Disciplined bowling helped Zimbabwe restrict Bangladesh, who
won the toss and chose to bat, to a mediocre total of 206.
In reply, the home side scored 212 for three in 41.4 overs
to cruise to victory by seven wickets.
The result gave Zimbabwe an unbeatable 3-1 lead in the
five-match series, which ends in Harare on Sunday.
Strydom, who hit a lusty 58 off as many balls with eight
fours and a six, began his assault in the 13th over after Vusi
Sibanda and Terrence Duffin had launched Zimbabwe's reply with
an opening stand of 57.
Fast bowler Farhad Reza bowled Sibanda off the edge of his
bat for 46 in the 22nd over, which brought Hamilton Masakadza to
the crease to share 66 runs for the third wicket with Strydom.
The partnership was halted when Masakadza, on 19, retired
hurt with a nosebleed.
Strydom was dismissed five balls later by left-arm spinner
Abdur Razzak when he sent a leading edge looping to midwicket,
where Mohammad Ashraful took the catch.
Stuart Matsikenyeri and Brendan Taylor completed the job for
Zimbabwe with a brisk stand of 53.
Shahriar Nafeez top-scored for Bangladesh with 45, and their
only substantial partnership was the 52 runs that Shahriar and
Aftab Ahmed shared for the second wicket.
Off-spinner Prosper Utseya tied the visitors down and took
two for 25, while leg-spinner Masakadza was less accurate but
also effective for his return of two for 36.