Bangladesh claimed their first T20I series victory of 2026 by defeating Zimbabwe 2-1 in Bulawayo, successfully overcoming a 1-nil deficit. The win served as a spoiler for Zimbabwe’s Sikandar Raza, who was marking a milestone appearance as the most-capped Zimbabwean international with 314 matches across all formats.
Playing without the injured Nahid Rana, Bangladesh utilized a five-man bowling attack to restrict Zimbabwe to a total of 143 for 7. Taskin Ahmed led the effort with disciplined bowling, supported by seamers Mohammad Saifuddin and Abdul Gaffar Saqlain. While Zimbabwe’s Dion Myers anchored the innings with a 73-run knock—his third T20I fifty—and shared a 71-run partnership with Brian Bennett, the team’s middle order failed to reach double figures. Myers, who hit one six and five fours, was eventually run out in the final over while attempting to push the score.
Bangladesh’s bowling unit excelled in the closing stages, conceding only 25 runs for four wickets in the final four overs. Saifuddin claimed 2 for 35, dismissing Brad Evans and Clive Madande in consecutive deliveries, while Saqlain removed Ryan Burl. Taskin Ahmed bowled a precise final over to limit the scoring, ensuring Zimbabwe remained below a competitive target.
In the chase, Bangladesh opener Tanzid Hasan anchored the innings with a patient 66, marking his 13th half-century and drawing level with Shakib-al-Hasan for the second-most fifty-plus scores for Bangladesh in the format. Despite early pressure from Zimbabwe’s new-ball pair Richard Ngarava and Blessing Muzarabani, Tanzid paced his acceleration perfectly, sharing key stands with Parvez Hossain Emon and Towhid Hridoy.
The finale featured a tense finish as Bangladesh neared their target. With six balls remaining, Brad Evans returned to the attack, bowling Mossadek Hossain and creating a brief opening for Zimbabwe. Tempers flared following a dead-ball signal from umpire Forster Mutizwa during an lbw appeal against Mehidi Hasan. However, Bangladesh secured the win with two balls to spare after hitting a boundary, concluding a tour where Zimbabwe had previously secured victories in the one-off Test and the ODI series.
