HARARE: After Shoriful Islam's 4/46 spell reduced the hosts to 240, Shakib Al Hasan's unbeaten 96 helped Bangladesh win the series 2-0 and retain second place in the ICC Cricket World Cup Super League standings.

Bangladesh made it difficult for themselves in the chase, but Shakib Al Hasan, as he has done so many times before for his team, ensured the visitors got home with three wickets in hand and five balls to spare.

Zimbabwe chose to bat first after winning the toss in order to make a comeback in the series. The hosts got off to a bad start when Taskin Ahmed dismissed Tinashe Kamunhukamwe (1) in the first over before Mehidy Hasan scalped Tadiwanashe Marumani (13) in the sixth over.

The innings was then consolidated by captain Brendan Taylor and Regis Chakabva, who put on a 47-run stand. Shakib Al Hasan provided the crucial breakthrough for Bangladesh with an arm ball that knocked out Chakabva (26). 

Taylor (46) was then out in an unusual manner: after missing an uppercut, the Zimbabwe captain shadow-practised a shot but failed to control the bat's follow-through, resulting in a hit-wicket.

Zimbabwe was in a precarious position at 111/4 after losing their captain. Dion Myers and Wesley Madhevere ensured that the lower order was not exposed in the middle overs by putting on 35 runs for the fifth wicket before Shakib once again broke the partnership by dismissing Myers (34).

Madhevere, who opened in the previous game, kept the scoreboard ticking and reached fifty in the 42nd over, while Sikander Raza (30) secured the other end. 

Tamim Iqbal reintroduced Shoriful Islam into the attack, and the left-arm pacer dismissed Madhevere (54), Luke Jongwe (8), and Blessing Muzarabani (0) in a nine-ball span, returning with career-best figures of 4/46. 

Tendai Chatara and Richard Ngarava made sure they didn't get bowled out as Zimbabwe finished with a total of 240/9 in 50 overs.

In response, Liton Das and Tamim Iqbal began cautiously to ensure they didn't give away early wickets to the bowlers. Iqbal's (20) wicket, triggered a mini-collapse in which Bangladesh went from 39/0 to 50/3 as Das (21) and Mohammad Mithun (2) fell cheaply. 

The visitors were further hampered when Mosaddek Hossain was run out while attempting to steal a single as the scoreboard read 75/4.

With a 55-run stand from 61 balls, the experienced duo of Shakib and Mahumudullah bailed The Tigers out of trouble while keeping their required run rate in check. 

Taylor's decision to reintroduce Blessing Muzarabani into the attack proved wise, as he dismissed Mahmudullah (26) on the first ball of his new spell. 

Zimbabwe appeared to be back in the game after the wickets of Mehidy Hasan Miraz (6) and Afif Hossain (15), but Shakib found an able ally in Mohammad Saifuddin.

Coming in to bat at 173/7, with Bangladesh still needing 68 from 69 balls, Saifuddin played a very smart inning of 28*, ensuring that the visitors crossed the line without further hiccups.

Shakib was named Player of the Match for his 96* and 2/42 all-round performance.

Edited - SportsAction / Inputs - Agency