Zimbabwe pacer furious as Bangladesh opener's wild celebration leads to heated exchange in tense finish to series decider

The T20I series decider between Zimbabwe cricket team">Zimbabwe cricket team">Zimbabwe cricket team">Zimbabwe cricket team">Zimbabwe and Bangladesh came to a dramatic end. Brad Evans struck twice in the final over but Mahedi Hasan found a boundary first ball to finish the run chase and hand Bangladesh a four-wicket win with two balls to spare. But, controversy took centrestage as Tanzid Hasan Tamim's animated celebration led to a heated exchange with Evans. Mahedi, who hit the winning runs, tried to douse the flames, so did Zimbabwe players to pacify Evans. 

Myers plays anchor, lacks support 

Tanzid starred with an unbeaten 58-ball 66 in the tricky run chase at Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo. Earlier, Zimbabwe skipper Sikandar Raza won the toss and opted to bat first. It was Raza's 314th appearance for Zimbabwe across formats, breaking the record held by Hamilton Masakadza. Mahedi dismissed Tadiwanashe Marumani cheaply in his first over. Brian Bennett and Dion Myers shared a 71-run partnership. Bennett missed his fifty as he was knocked over by Mohammad Saifuddin for a 38-ball 46 in the 11th over.

Myers did the bulk of scoring whereas skipper Raza, Ryan Burl, Evans and Clive Madande were dismissed cheaply. Myers contributed with a 53-ball 73, featuring seven fours and two sixes. Myers departed in the final over. But, he helped Zimbabwe post 143/7.

Tanzid anchors run chase

In the run chase, Saif Hassan lost his wicket to Richard Ngarava in the first over of the run chase. Ranzid and Parvez Hossain Emon shared a 55-run partnership for the second wicket. Stand-in captain Towhid Hridoy contributed with a 19-ball 24. When he departed, Bangladesh were 122/3 in 16 overs. They needed 22 more runs in the final four overs. In the penultimate over, Yasir Ali lost his wicket.

The controversial last over, denied hat-trick, tense finish

Evans was given the task to defend five runs off six deliveries. Tanzid took a single off the first ball. Then, Evans knocked over Mosaddek Hossain, followed by Saifuddin. On the fourth ball of the over, Evans trapped Mahedi in fron of the wickets as well but the umpire called it a dead ball. The call was made due to a fielder's movement in the outfield. It happened before Evans released the ball. Raza had an animated chat with the umpire as Evans was denied a hat-trick.

The lapse in concentration led to Evans bowling a full toss. Mahedi hit it over extra cover fielder for a boundary which was followed by a heated exchange. The International Cricket Council (ICC) is yet to announce any sanctions. 

Bangladesh won the T20I series 2-1 after the ODI series defeat. Zimbabwe will now face India in a three-T20I series at home. Bangladesh will prepare for their tour of Australia next month.