With the series already won, Bangladesh took the opportunity to ring the changes, bringing Mohammad Naim, Afif Hossain, Mohammad Saifuddin, and Mustafizur Rahman, for Nazmul Hossain Shanto, Mushfiqur Rahim, Shafiul Islam, and A-Amin Hossain respectively. Zimbabwe were unchanged.
This time it was Zimbabwe who won the toss in Sylhet and invited Bangladesh to bat first.
It turned out to be a decision that back-fired on them in spectacular fashion, as the opening pair of Tamim Iqbal and Liton Das put on an unbeaten 182 before rain caused a two and a a half hour delay to play, and caused the match to be reduced to 43 overs a side.
Undeterred the pair resumed their innings and added a further 112 before Das was caught by Sikandar Ras off the bowling of Carl Mumba. He had scored 176, his third ODI century and his highest score ever in this format of the game. His innings featured 8 sixes and 16 fours, and his partnership with Iqbal was a record for Bangladesh. Mumba picked up two more wickets in his final over, Mahmudullah and Afif Hossain both out chasing quick runs, but Tamim was unbeaten on 126, with 6 sixes and 7 fours to his name. It was his second successive ODI century, and his 13th in all. He had helped Bangladesh close on a massive 322 -3 from their 43 overs.
In reply, Zimbabwe suffered an early loss, Tinashe Kamunhukamwe departing off the fourth ball of the innings bowled by Mashrafe Mortaza, who is stepping down as Bangladesh captain after this match. Brendan Taylor and Regis Chakabva added 23, but Taylor was the next man out, caught by Mohammad Mithun off a delivery from Saifuddin.
Chakabva then combined with his captain Sean Williams and the pair scored 48 before Williams was bowled by Afif Hossain for 30. It was then the turn of Chakabva to share a stand of 39 with Wesley Madhevere, which was ended when Chakabva, who had reached 34, was bowled by Taijul Islam.
Zimbabwe were slipping to defeat at this stage and, after Madhevere, and Raza had added 35, Madhevere was out for 42, including one six, caught by Mehedi Hasan with Saifuddin the bowler this time. And then in the next over, having made 8, Richmond Mutumbani was run out by Tamim Iqbal.
Wickets continued to fall, the next man to go being Tinotende Mutombodzi, caught at first slip by Naim off Mustafizur. Sikandar Raza and Donald Tiripano added 29 for the 8th wicket, but when he had scored 15, Tiripano was bowled by Taijul, having struck 2 sixes. Then Raza added 16 with Mumba, but, having made a defiant 61, including 2 sixes, Raza was the ninth wicket to fall when he was caught by Mohammad Naim off a delivery from Saifuddin. Next ball Saifuddin bowled Charlton Tshuma first ball to bowl Zimbabwe out for 218 in the 38th over.
Saifuddin was the best of the Bangladesh bowlers with 4 for 41, whilst Taijul finished with 2 for 38.