Bangladesh Women clinched the three-match series against Zimbabwe Women with a nine-wicket win in the second ODI, in Bulawayo. They bowled out Zimbabwe for 121 in 46.4 overs and reached the target with 153 balls to spare.
Opting to bat, Zimbabwe got off to a disastrous start, losing Sharne Mayers and Ashley Ndiraya without scoring inside two overs, by Jahanara Alam (2-22) and Salma Khatun (2-21) respectively. Mary-Anne Musonda (10) and Christabel Chatonzwa (14) failed to convert their starts into anything substantial, as they kept losing wickets in regular intervals.
Modester Mupachikwa (33) and Nyasha Gwanzura (35) tried to steady the ship, but with little support. None of the others could not even manage to cross 15, as they crawled to a paltry total.
All Bangladesh bowlers bowled economically, going for under three and a half an over. Nahida Akter did the most damage, taking 3-30. Rumana Ahmed and Fahima Khatun had 1-26 between them from 14 overs.
Coming to defend, Esther Mbofana pinned Sharmin Akhter leg before in the fifth over to give Zimbabwe a slim hope. But Murshida Khatun (51*) and Fargana Hoque (53*) held the fort, and took Bangladesh past the finishing line inside 25 overs. They added an unbroken 115 in 121 balls to get the job done.
The two sides will play the third and the last ODI on 15 November, at the same venue.
Brief Scores: Zimbabwe Women 121 in 46.4 overs (Nyasha Gwanzura 35*; Nahida Akter 3-30) lost to Bangladesh Women 125/1 in 24.3 overs (Fargana Hoque 53*; Esther Mbofana 1-30) by 9 wickets with 153 balls to spare.