Bangladesh dismissed Zimbabwe for just 44 runs before easing to a six-wicket victory and an unassailable 3-1 lead in their five-match one-day international series on Tuesday.

Pacer Nazmul Hossain and left-arm spinner Abdur Razzak shared two wickets apiece to reduce the visitors to 8-4, a position from which Zimbabwe could never recover.

Left-arm spinners Enamul Haque Jr and Shakib Al Hasan then took over as chief tormentors, grabbing three wickets each to bowl out Zimbabwe, who had won the toss and opted to bat, for the lowest total by any team in an ODI against Bangladesh.

The hosts were on course for a first 10-wicket victory at 33 without loss before Zimbabwe snared four wickets in quick succession on a batting surface that equally provided sharp turn for the spin bowlers.

Raymond Price and Graeme Cremer each claimed two wickets for Zimbabwe before middle-order batsman Roqibul Hassan finished the match with a huge off six over long to take the hosts to 49-4 in 11.5 overs.

Scoreboard

Zimbabwe: H Masakadza c Ashraful b Nazmul 2, M Vermuelen lbw b Razzak 3, B Taylor c & b Razzak 0, C Coventry c Rahim b Nazmul 1, M Waller c Nazmul b Shakib 13, S Matsikenyeri c Ashraful b Enamul 11, J Chibhabha b Enamul 0, E Chigumbura c&b Enamul 4, G Cremer not out 7, R Price lbw b Shakib 0, K Jarvis c&b Shakib 0

Extras (w-3) 3; Total (all out, 24.5 ovs) 44

Fall of wickets: 1-2, 2-3, 3-4, 4-8, 5-32, 6-32, 7-36, 8-36, 9-39

... contd.