Kapali returns to form with century

Bangladesh A's five-match one-day series against Zimbabwe A is tied at 1-1 after the first two games at the Shaheed Chandu Stadium in Bogra. Bangladesh took the lead with a thrilling two-run victory, but were pegged back in the second match despite a blazing century from Alok Kapali.

Kapali failed with the bat in the opening fixture, scoring just 5 as Bangladesh were bowled out for a meagre 156. His fellow Test caps, Mohammad Ashraful and Al Shahriar, also fell cheaply to a Zimbabwean attack led by the talented young paceman Thinashe Panyangara, who routed Australia in the recent World Cup.

It was left to Manjural Islam Rana to rally the team, as he battled his way to 53 from 85 balls. The next highest scorer was extras, with 30. When it came to Zimbabwe's turn to bat, Trevor Gripper and Vusimuzi Sibanda added 53 for the second wicket, before Gazi Alamgir grabbed four wickets to set up a tight finish. Eventually the pressure got to Zimbabwe, and their No. 11 was run out with three balls remaining and three runs to win.

Zimbabwe didn't dwell on their near-miss, however, and overcame Kapali's 111 to ease to a five-wicket victory. Bangladesh had set a stiff total of 266 for 9, but reduced the requirement to 218 from 42 overs. Piet Rinke and Trevor Gripper gave Zimbabwe a flying start, adding 56 in just 6.4 overs, and they and were 153 for 1 in the 31st over when rain interrupted the chase.