ZIM vs BAN Live: Curran & Evans Rescue Zimbabwe to 247/6 in 2nd ODI

 

Curran, Evans Rescue Zimbabwe as Chevrons Post 247/6 in Second ODI

Harare, July 9, 2026 – In a gripping contest at the Harare Sports Club, Zimbabwe recovered from a disastrous start to post a competitive 247/6 against Bangladesh in the second One-Day International. The rescue act was led by a resolute Ben Curran, whose unbeaten 81 anchored the innings, and a vital cameo from all-rounder Brad Evans that propelled the hosts past the 240-run mark after a top-order collapse .

The day began with a familiar narrative for Zimbabwe fans as the top order once again succumbed to the moving ball. Bangladesh captain Mehidy Hasan Miraz won the toss and, as in the series opener, elected to bowl first under overcast conditions . The decision paid immediate dividends.

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Taskin Ahmed, generating both pace and sharp seam movement, was the chief tormentor early on. He breached the defense of Brian Bennett with a peach of a delivery that pitched on off-stump and cut back sharply, clipping the top of off-stump for a first-ball duck . Innocent Kaia, who had been the standout batter in the preceding Test match, followed soon after, walking across his stumps and slicing a catch to mid-off . With the score wobbling at 8/2 and the dangerous Craig Ervine soon to be yorked by the fiery Nahid Rana, Zimbabwe were in dire straits at 32/3 .

Curran's Grit Provides Stability

However, the afternoon belonged to Ben Curran. In a hostile environment where his opening partners failed to reach double figures, Curran displayed immense character and concentration. While the scoreboard ticked over slowly during the middle overs, Curran stood firm, rotating the strike and punishing the occasional loose delivery. He brought up his third ODI half-century off 59 balls, a knock that contained five boundaries, as he stitched together vital partnerships with Wessly Madhevere and his captain, Sikandar Raza .

The partnership with Raza, which put on 50 runs for the fifth wicket, breathed life back into the Zimbabwe innings. Raza, who has been the talisman for Zimbabwe in recent years, looked fluent before being undone by a flat delivery from Mehidy Hasan, caught at cover for 33 . Clive Madande perished shortly after for 4, attempting a cut shot off Rishad Hossain, leaving the innings in a precarious position with the scoreboard reading 148/6 .

Evans' Late Cameo Proves Crucial

Just when Bangladesh looked set to restrict Zimbabwe to a total below the 200-run mark, Brad Evans injected much-needed energy into the innings. Walking in at number eight, Evans did not hesitate to play his shots, striking a crucial 33 off 53 balls . His aggressive intent ensured that the runs did not dry up, and he was instrumental in frustrating the Bangladesh bowlers in the final overs.

Evans’ contribution was the difference between a poor total and one that holds genuine weight on this tricky surface. The final score of 247/6 represents a remarkable recovery from the early carnage and sets up a challenging chase for the visitors.

For Bangladesh, the bowling attack was spearheaded brilliantly by Taskin Ahmed, who claimed 2/22, and Mehidy Hasan Miraz with 2/28. Nahid Rana, who claimed a record-breaking 6/21 in the first game, was relatively expensive but still managed the crucial wicket of Ervine .

Zimbabwe will feel they have a defendable total on a pitch that has offered assistance to the pace bowlers throughout the series. Curran’s vigil, coupled with Evans’ finishing, has given the Chevrons a fighting chance to clinch the series. Bangladesh, on the other hand, will need their much-talked-about batting lineup to finally produce a performance worthy of their bowling attack . Can they chase down 248 to keep the series alive? The second innings promises to be a thriller.