Mahmudullah gives Tigers hope

Bulawayo - A late charge from Mohammad Mahmudullah carried Bangladesh to a respectable 247 for nine in their allotted 50 overs, but Zimbabwe went into the innings break in the third one-day international in Bulawayo with the best chance of claiming a series victory.

Mahmudullah's career-best 75 not out off 74 deliveries and Nasir Hossain's 63 rescued Bangladesh from 110 for five in the 28th over to give the tourists some hope.

Zimbabwe's seamers had made the most of the advantage provided to them when the hosts won a third straight toss, with left-armer Brian Vitori striking twice in his second over upon his return to the side.

Although Mushfiqur Rahim and Tamim Iqbal led a brief recovery, both departed in the space of three overs before Shakib Al Hasan fell victim to part-time spinner Sean Williams.

A 79-run stand between Mahmudullah and Nasir clawed Bangladesh forward, but when Nasir departed with a little more than seven overs remaining there was still plenty of work to be done.

At that point Mahmudullah had just 28 from 44 deliveries, but he found the boundary with increasing regularity and added 25 to his total in the last two overs alone.