Bangladesh vs Zimbabwe, 3rd ODI - Live Cricket Score, Commentary

Taylor sizzles

Wow, he is on the move now. Taylor has hit two sixes in the space of five balls. First one was of a freehit but the second one was so sweetly timed over cow corner. His strike rate is approaching 100 now and Zimbabwe's run rate is approaching five as well. Bangladesh need to break this stand.

Fifty-run stand

Taylor smashes two clean boundaries in the 15th over to end the drought and the partnership goes past fifty. Zimbabwe need these two to bat as long as possible.

Drama

Bangladesh are appealing for obstructing the field. Taylor was standing outside the crease and hit the ball back to the bowler who aims at the stumps to run him out. The batsman is taking a step back and the ball hits his boot which prompts the Bangladeshis to appeal against the batsman. There was no genuine attempt to obstruct so nothing transpires in the end. The game moves on. Zimbabwe are 48 for 2 after 14 overs. Decent recovery after the double blow but the boundaries have totally dried up.

Disaster

And now it's Masakadza's turn to play an ugly shot and walk back to the pavilion. No feet movement whatsoever and he tries to smack Abu Hider only to get an inside edge as the ball clatters into the stumps. Zimbabwe are in early trouble. Sean Williams joins Taylor and these have a massive massive task in hand.

Early strike

What a silly shot to play in just the second over of the innings! The Zimbabwean coaching staff will not be happy with that dismissal. Zhuwao attempts an ugly slog and is bowled by Mohammad Saifuddin. Not the ideal start for Zimbabwe. Brendan Taylor is in very early.

Toss - Bangladesh opt to bowl

Dew is expected so no wonder the hosts have opted to bowl first. They have made a few changes. Soumya Sarkar is back and they have rested Mustafizur Rahman. Ariful Haque makes a debut and Abu Hider is getting a game as well. For Zimbabwe, Chatara and Mavuta make way for Wellington Masakadza and Richard Ngarava.

Teams:

Zimbabwe (Playing XI): Hamilton Masakadza(c), Cephas Zhuwao, Brendan Taylor(w), Sean Williams, Sikandar Raza, Peter Moor, Elton Chigumbura, Wellington Masakadza, Donald Tiripano, Kyle Jarvis, Richard Ngarava

Bangladesh (Playing XI): Liton Das, Imrul Kayes, Soumya Sarkar, Mushfiqur Rahim(w), Mohammad Mithun, Mahmudullah, Ariful Haque, Mohammad Saifuddin, Mashrafe Mortaza(c), Abu Hider Rony, Nazmul Islam

Build up

Bangladesh didn't have Shakib Al Hasan. Zimbabwe had some of their top stars returning to the national fold. Yet, it was Bangladesh who have continued to dominate this series, winning the opening two ODIs to clinch the series. There have been discussions about tinkering with the lineup in the final game, especially by making Soumya Sarkar bat at 7 as the finisher but for Zimbabwe, it is about stemming this rot. They have lost 12 ODIs consecutively and there is no better contest than a dead rubber to put a halt to this streak.

Their batsmen threatened at certain times but could never go onto make huge contributions to trouble the home side. Brendan Taylor cracked a superb 75 in the second game but his dismissal triggered a collapse. Sean Williams has registered scores of 50 and 47 so far so the visitors will be pinning their hopes on these two veterans to deliver today. The bowlers will have to step up as well especially with the Bangladesh openers making merry in the previous game to help their side chase down 247 with ease. Can the visitors pull one back to carry some momentum and confidence into the Test series or will Bangladesh be ruthless to make this 3-0? Welcome to the live blog for this final ODI from Chittagong.