Williams' career-best leads Zimbabwe to victory

BULAWAYO, Zimbabwe: Sean Williams hit a career-best 78 not out as Zimbabwe beat Bangladesh by six wickets in the second one-day international here on Sunday to set up a series decider.

Playing in only his second one-day match since the 2011 World Cup, Williams was aided by Malcolm Waller's unbeaten 39 as he calmly saw Zimbabwe to their target of 253 with 13 balls to spare.

Abdur Razzak's maiden half-century in international cricket had hauled
Bangladesh to a competitive total but Williams' sensible batting won the day and squared the three-match series at one apiece.

Razzak arrived at the crease with the tourists struggling on 185 for seven in the 44th over after they had been asked to bat first, and duly clubbed a 21-ball fifty to take them to 252 for nine.

Kyle Jarvis was responsible for the drop off his own bowling, and suffered the consequences as he conceded two of Razzak's five sixes - and 17 runs off the final over of the innings.

Vusi Sibanda returned to form with a solid 49 as Zimbabwe made a confident start to their chase, while Sikandar Raza and Brendan Taylor also contributed without going on to a big score.

Taylor's 73-run partnership with Williams stabilised the innings after Zimbabwe lost both Sibanda and Raza with the score on 94, but when Taylor gifted his wicket away for 37 the match was still in the balance.

However Williams moved to his half-century and took on the bulk of the
scoring duties while Waller found his feet, and the pair went on to add the remaining 85 runs needed for victory without any unnecessary drama.

Bangladesh won the first match of the series by 121 runs on Saturday.

The third and final match of the series is at the same Queen's Club venue on Wednesday. (AFP)