ZIMBABWE captain Brendan Taylor says his team are reaping the benefits of hardwork after they took an unassailable 3-0 lead in their five-match One Day International series with Bangladesh on Tuesday.
Zimbabwe set the tourists a target of 250 runs after 50 overs for the loss of seven wickets. In a nail biting close to the Bangladesh innings, the tourists were all out for 245 in 49.2 overs – six runs shy of the winning target.
“I am over the moon. It is an awesome feeling and a wonderful result for all the hardwork we put in the last eight months,” Taylor, who was out after a disappointing three runs, said after the match.
“Hopefully we keep getting better and better. We had enough runs but they had guys like Tamim and Shakib who can take the game away from us. Rahim almost did it but we held ourselves.
“I just tried slow and sharp spells for the bowlers so that the batsmen don't get used to any bowler. As a batsman, I know that it is difficult for any batsman to keep adjusting to new bowlers. We'll take it one game at a time but will celebrate tonight.”
Zimbabwe were 39 for 2 in the 14th over, having lost Taylor and the man in form, Vusi Sibanda. They recovered through a big stand between Tatenda Taibu (83) and Hamilton Masakadza (74), who shrugged off a scratchy start.
Bangladesh helped by dropping four catches, and Elton Chigumbura (31) capitalised to propel his side to a challenging total.
Taibu said: “It was nice to spend some time at the crease. Harare always helps the bowlers early on, but it was good to pitch in to set a platform for Elton."
The tour now moves to Bulawayo for two dead rubber matches with the series done and dusted.