Zimbabwe edge Bangladesh to seal series

HARARE, Zimbabwe (AP):

Zimbabwe won their first one-day series over a major cricket nation in five years yesterday, holding off a brilliant fightback by Bangladesh wicketkeeper-batsman Mushfiqur Rahim for a dramatic five-run win at Harare Sports Club.

Mushfiqur's 101 from 100 balls was not enough as he fell in the last over to leave Bangladesh 245 all out and give Zimbabwe victory in the third ODI. The home team had posted 250-7 and secured the five-match series with an unassailable 3-0 lead.

It is Zimbabwe's first ODI series win over a Test nation since they beat Bangladesh at home in August 2006.

Mushfiqur had dragged Bangladesh to the brink of victory with his first one-day international century, but needing six off five balls, he holed out to Vusi Sibanda at long on off seamer Chris Mpofu.

The win is the rejuvenated Zimbabwe team's second major milestone of the tour, after they won the one-off Test between the countries for a successful return to the five-day format following a six-year absence.

"I'm over the moon," Zimbabwe captain Brendan Taylor said. "It's an awesome feeling and it's just a wonderful result for all the hard work we've put in. Hopefully, we keep going, getting better and better. There will be a little bit of a celebration tonight."

Zimbabwe off-spinner Prosper Utseya led the home team's bowling in the third one-dayer with 3-47, Mpofu finished with 2-43 and Kyle Jarvis had 2-52, which included two wickets in the second-to-last over.

The teams will play two more ODIs in the southern city of Bulawayo to complete the series.

Tatenda Taibu (83) and Hamilton Masakadza (74) had made half-centuries in a 142-run partnership to help Zimbabwe post 250. Elton Chigumbura gave the hosts some late momentum with his 31 off 21 balls.

Seamer Rubel Hossain took 2-41 and Bangladesh skipper Shakib Al Hasan 2-46 but the visitors dropped five catches, including Taibu three times, after putting Zimbabwe in to bat.