Bangladesh restrict Zimbabwe to 193 in final ODI

DHAKA, Dec 9 (Reuters) Bangladesh restricted Zimbabwe to 193 for eight in their 50 overs in the fifth and final one-day international today to remain on course for a series sweep.

After four comfortable victories for the home side, a strong bowling performance at the Mirpur Shere Bangla Stadium has put Bangladesh in a good position to record a fifth straight victory, despite a gutsy 74 by opener Stuart Matsikenyeri.

The attack was led by paceman Mashrafe Mortaza, who bowled a full 10-over spell to return figures of 3-36, while spinner Mehrab Hossain Jr ended with 2-30 from seven overs.

Mortaza's victims were all clean bowled with Sean Williams the first to go after he scored 14, followed by Gary Brent (3) and captain Prosper Utseya (2).

Asked to bat by Bangladesh captain Habibul Bashar, Zimbabwe lost opener Tinotenda Mawoyo (10) when Syed Rasel bowled him with the first ball of the eighth over to make it 28-1.

Chamu Chibhabha then built a partnership of 63 runs with Matsikenyeri before he was run out on 27 when Abdur Razzak fielded the ball at long-on to keeper Mushifiqur Rahim in the 25th over.

Elton Chigumbura (27) was removed with the score on 138-3, Mehrab claiming his first one-day wicket in his sixth match when he got the batsman to edge behind to the keeper.

The bowler doubled his tally when he had Matsikenyeri caught at point by Razzak in the 39th over, the batsman facing 114 balls and hitting seven fours.

REUTERS PM ND1338