HARARE, Aug 2 - Shahadat Hossain took Bangladesh's
first one-day international hat-trick but could not prevent a
two-wicket defeat to Zimbabwe on Wednesday.
Needing five runs to win off the final ball, Zimbabwe's
Brendan Taylor smashed a full toss from fast bowler Mashrafe
Mortaza over the midwicket boundary for six to usher the home
side to a dramatic victory.
Bangladesh, who lost the toss and were put in to bat, were
dismissed for 236 in 49 overs. Zimbabwe replied with 238 for
eight to take a 2-1 lead in the five-match series.
Taylor watched Shahadat's hat-trick in the 39th over unfold
from the non-striker's end as Zimbabwe crashed from 151-4 to
151-7, but he stood firm for an unbeaten 79 off 72 balls with
six fours and three sixes.
Tafadzwa Mufambisi edged the third ball of the over to
wicketkeeper Khaled Mashud for eight.
Shahadat's next ball was full and straight, and it trapped
Elton Chigumbura plumb in front. Prosper Utseya then edged a
wide delivery into Mashud's gloves.
The only other international hat-trick by a Bangladeshi was
taken by leg spinner Alok Kopali in the second test against
Pakistan in Peshawar in August 2003.
Tawanda Mupariwa scored a bright 33 to help Taylor rebuild
the innings in an eighth-wicket stand of 81 that was ended with
the penultimate ball of the match when Mupariwa fell and was run
out by Mohammad Rafique.
For Bangladesh, Rajin Saleh scored a cautious 54, while an
aggressive Aftab Ahmed needed just 39 balls to smash his 53,
which included seven fours and two sixes.
Saleh and Ahmed added 70 runs for the third wicket, and
Mohammad Ashraful scored a brisk 46 in sharing a stand of 91 for
the fourth wicket with Saleh.