Taibu steers Zimbabwe to 250-7 against Bangladesh

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HARARE: A third wicket partnership of 142 between Tatenda Taibu and Hamilton Mazakadza for Zimbabwe helped the home side set Bangladesh 251 to win the third ODI and stay in the series at Harare Sports Club here Tuesday.

Taibu scored 83 including eight boundaries to claim his 20th ODI half century while Masakadza hit 74 with two sixes and four fours for his 17th 50.

Zimbabwe had been put into bat by Shakib Al Hassan, who won the toss for the first time on the tour.

Brendan Taylor was out for four runs, his third successive failure but Vusi Sibanda began a recovery with a patient 27.

Zimbabwe consequently managed only 22 runs in the first 10 overs and were 60-2 after 20 overs. But in the next 20 Taibu and Masakadza scattered the fielders with another 116 runs, almost doubling the run rate.

Craig Ervine and Elton Chigumbura went after the bowling as well in the final stages, scoring 18 and 31 respectively, the latter facing only 21 balls for his contribution in which he hit two sixes.

As Taibu tried with abandon to reach his hundred he was caught on the boundary and wickets fell in quick succession during the last two overs.

Bangladesh batsmen face a run chase at just above five runs per over. If they fail they will have lost the series.