Ebadot's presence makes difference: Tamim Iqbal

Dhaka, 10 Aug  - Bangladesh captain Tamim Iqbal heaped praise on the performance of fast bowler Ebadot Hossain, a key component of the side to quell the scare of whitewash what looked likely after the side's moderate total in the third and final game against Zimbabwe at Harare Sports Club today.

After compiling 303 and 290 in the first two matches, that they lost by identical five wickets, Bangladesh amassed just 256-9 in the final game, which raised a prospect of being swept by Zimbabwe after 21 years.

However Test regular Ebadot Hossain, who made his ODI debut, marked his presence in style, taking the key wicket of Sikandar Raza for golden duck. He also removed Wessly Madhevere in the previous delivery and left Zimbabwe at tricky 18-4.

Raza hit 135 not out and 117 not out in the first two games to help Zimbabwe win the series against Bangladesh after nine years. Here in this match, his dismissal threw Zimbabwe out of the game completely. And Tamim thought that was the decisive moment of the game.

"We have been carrying him (Ebadot Hossain) for a long time, I was surprised he wasn't included in the playing XI," Tamim said after the match. "Luckily he was available for this last game, and he delivered."

Tamim also praised the effort of young Afif Hossain who was key in helping the side propel past 250 runs mark with a brilliant 81 ball-85 not out. The platform was set by Tamim's opening partner Anamul Haque Bijoy who blasted 71 ball-76.
 
"At one point I thought we were struggling. The way Afif batted, it was pleasing to see. He was timing the ball well, he batted extremely well. When you have lost games scoring 300, 250 looks like 200. Luckily we got the five wickets early, and that was good for us."

Sikandar Raza who led Zimbabwe in this match in absence of Regis Chakabva unsurprisingly was adjudged man of the series. But he rued for losing the third and final one.

Earlier, he also led the side win the T20 series by 2-1, which was Zimbabwe's first ever series win against Bangladesh in the shortest format of the cricket.

"It would have been nice to win the game again. But I didn't get the runs, I'll work hard and look forward to the next series," Raza said.

"A lot of work is done in the nets, I keep my emotions in check. I try to plan and play according to the opposition. For me it's all about training. It has been not easy as we missed the big guns in the dressing room. Ngarava bowled well, Jongwe too. There are a lot of good things happening in the dressing room. This result wouldn't have been possible without the love and support of the crowd."