Naeem pulls off a sensational win for Bangladesh

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Naeem Islam's heroics overshadowed what had been a virtuoso batting effort in the morning from Brendan Taylor.

CHITTAGONG, Nov 5 (BSS): All rounder Naeem Islam with a priceless unbeaten 73 pulled back Bangladesh from the jaw of defeat to hand them a sensational one wicket win over Zimbabwe in the 5th One-day International at Zohur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium here today.
Bangladesh were tottering at 187 for nine and with number eight batsmen Naeem Islam and number eleven Nazmul Hossain at the crease, it looked like a foregone conclusion as Tigers needed another 35 runs from 31 deliveries . Naeem Islam and Nazmul Hossain were not ready to throw the towel and what followed was a sheer brilliance as both batsmen batted with sheer determination and iron will power as Zimbabwe saw their futile efforts go in vain as Tigers broke their heart to record an absorbing win.
Chibhabha took the centre stage as Bangladesh was cruising at 174 for five in the 42nd over, his brilliant throw saw Mahmudullah Riyad being run out to give the visitors, to give Zimbabwe, a flicker of hope. He followed with two quick wickets of Abdur Razzak and Enamul Haque junior as Bangladesh suddenly from 174 for five to collapse to 187 for nine.
Naeem and Nazmul started the repairing job with some determined batting. He went berserk in the Chibhabha's 48th over smashing him for three consecutive sixes adding to his earlier six off Price in 45th over.
As the saying goes fortune favours the brave when Naeem edged Mpfu's perfect yorker behind the stumps for a boundary to tie the score. Even the winning run saw Zimbabwe failed to run out Naeem who scrambled for a single.
Naeem's blitzkrieg knock of 73 off 90 balls, including four boundaries and four sixes impressed the commentators who selected him as man of the match ahead of the Brendon Taylor's 118 not out.
Naeem said I always kept hope and everybody supported me to play an innings of life time. Razzak won the player of the series award with 15 wickets.

Zimbabwe innings:
H Masakadza c Junaid Siddique b Abdur Razzak 10
MA Vermeulen c Junaid Siddique b Abdur Razzak 7
BRM Taylor not out 118
MN Waller b Mahmudullah 0
S Matsikenyeri st Mushfiqur Rahim b Mahmudullah 8
F Mutizwa c & b Shakib Al Hasan 5
CJ Chibhabha c Junaid Siddique b Shakib Al Hasan 0
AG Cremer b Shakib Al Hasan 10
RW Price lbw b Abdur Razzak 13
CB Mpofu not out 0
Extras: (lb 1, w 11) 12
Total: (9 wickets; 50 overs) 221
Bangladesh innings:
Tamim Iqbal run out (Mutizwa) 2
Junaid Siddique c Waller b Mpofu 19
Mohammad Ashraful run out (Matsikenyeri) 5
Raqibul Hasan st Taylor b Cremer 31
Shakib Al Hasan st Taylor b Matsikenyeri 20
Mushfiqur Rahim c Cremer b Matsikenyeri 23
Mahmudullah run out (Chibhabha) 33
Naeem Islam not out 73
Abdur Razzak c Mutizwa b Chibhabha 0
Enamul Haque jnr lbw b Chibhabha 0
Nazmul Hossain not out 1
Extras: (lb 6, w 8, nb 1) 15
Total: (9 wickets; 49 overs) 222
Result: Bangladesh won by 1 wicket
Series: Bangladesh won the 5-match series 4-1
Player of the match: Naeem Islam (Bangladesh)
Player of the series: Abdur Razzak (Bangladesh)