Sabbir, Soumya steer Bangladesh to 167-3

Khulna (Bangladesh) (AFP) - Soumya Sarkar and Sabbir Rahman made 43 runs each as Bangladesh scored 167-3 in the second Twenty20 international against visiting Zimbabwe in the country's southern city of Khulna on Sunday.

Shakib Al Hasan was unbeaten on 27 alongside Sabbir, who faced 30 balls and hit three sixes to steer the home side at the packed Sheikh Abu Naser Stadium.

Seeking a 2-0 lead in the four-match series, Bangladesh, who won Friday's opening match by four wickets, opted to bat first and put a combined effort on what looked like a placid wicket.

Tamim Iqbal (23) and Soumya put on 45 runs in the opening stand before Taurai Muzarabani made the first breakthrough for Zimbabwe.

Tamim went for a slog sweep and was caught at fine leg after facing just 17 balls.

Soumya, who faced 33 balls and hit four fours and three sixes, wasted a chance of getting his maiden fifty when he offered a catch to Malcolm Waller off Graeme Cremer at long on.

Mahmudullah followed with one run but Mushfiqur Rahim revived the innings with 24 off 20 balls before he retired with a hamstring injury.

Batsman Hamilton Masakadza is leading Zimbabwe in the match after the visitors rested their regular captain Elton Chigumbura.

Zimbabwe made three changes from the opening match as Neville Madziva, Muzarabani and Richmond Mutumbami came in for Chigumbura, Sikandar Raza and Luke Jongwe.

Bangladesh fielded an unchanged squad.