Bangladesh secured a 34-run victory over Zimbabwe in the second T20I in Bulawayo on Friday, successfully leveling the three-match series at 1-1. After a disappointing performance in the series opener where they were bowled out for 138, the visitors responded with a formidable batting display to set a target of 187.
Saif Hassan initiated the momentum for Bangladesh, finding boundaries early in the opening over. Although Richard Ngarava maintained a disciplined spell in the Powerplay, conceding only seven runs across two overs, the rest of the Zimbabwean bowling attack struggled to contain the scoring. This was compounded by defensive lapses, with Saif being dropped twice within the first five overs. Bangladesh reached 54/0 by the end of the Powerplay, with openers Tanzid Hasan Tamim and Saif continuing to bat fluently. Tanzid reached his half-century in the 12th over, while Saif, who benefited from five dropped catches, reached his own fifty in the 14th.
Sikandar Raza finally broke the century-run opening stand in the 15th over by dismissing Saif. This triggered a brief collapse, as Bangladesh slipped from 120/0 to 137/4 within two overs. However, Zimbabwe failed to capitalize on the momentum. Yasir Ali struck three vital boundaries before Mohammad Saifuddin hit four sixes in the final over—an over that saw yet another drop, bringing Zimbabwe's total missed opportunities in the field to seven.
In response, Zimbabwe's innings began with promise as Brian Bennett hit Mahedi Hasan for two fours and a six in the first over. However, the momentum faded quickly; Tadiwanashe Marumani fell later that same over, and Bennett had his stumps rattled by Nahid Rana in the following over. Despite a 12-ball 28 from Sikandar Raza, the hosts were in trouble at 65/4 by the seventh over. Milton Shumba, who had dropped four catches during the first innings, failed to recover with the bat and was dismissed by Rishad Hossain for 19 off 20 balls.
While Ryan Burl contributed 29 off 19 deliveries and Luke Evans added 25 off 14, Zimbabwe could not sustain the required pace and were eventually bowled out for 152 in the 20th over. Rishad Hossain was the standout performer with the ball, finishing with impressive figures of 4-26.
