Bangladesh look to maintain their dominance over Zimbabwe despite Tamim Iqbal’s absence

The hosts were swept 3-0 in the preceding ODI series

Big Picture

The opening T20I against Zimbabwe will be Bangladesh’s first of potentially 16 matches in their lead-up to the T20 World Cup in October-November, including matches against Australia, New Zealand and England.

Bangladesh have the option of picking a four-member pace attack, with the two left-armers Shoriful Islam and Mustafizur Rahman bowling at specific phases. They also have Soumya Sarkar and Shamim Hossain among the back-up batters while left-arm spinner Nasum Ahmed and legspinner Aminul Islam add to the bowling options.

Zimbabwe’s bowling looked a bit of shape in the second and third ODIs, but they are capable of making an impact with the new ball. Blessing Muzarabani offers sharp pace and bounce, while Richard Ngarava, Donald Tiripano and Luke Jongwe have been among the wickets. Tendai Chatara, however, hasn’t been as effective.

Bangladesh will look to attack the twin offspinners Madhevere and Raza, but that could potentially give the hosts an opportunity to strike.

Form guide

(last five completed matches)
Zimbabwe LWLLL
Bangladesh LLLWW

In the spotlight

Team news

Bangladesh (probable): 1 Mohammad Naim, 2 Liton Das (wk), 3 Shakib Al Hasan, 4 Mahmudullah (capt), 5 Afif Hossain, 6 Nurul Hasan, 7 Mahedi Hasan, 8 Mohammad Saifuddin, 9 Taskin Ahmed, 10 Shoriful Islam, 11 Mustafizur Rahman

Zimbabwe might retain XI that played the third ODI, but the batting order may change with Wessley Madhevere possibly better placed at No 3.

Zimbabwe (probable): 1 Regis Chakabva (wk), 2 Tadiwanashe Marumani, 3 Wessley Madhevere, 4 Brendan Taylor (capt), 5 Dion Myers, 6 Sikandar Raza, 7 Ryan Burl, 8 Donald Tiripano, 9 Luke Jongwe, 10 Blessing Muzarabani, 11 Richard Ngarava

Pitch and conditions

A mid-day start means bowlers might not get the kind of early-morning assistance they did in the ODIs. The weather remains dry in Harare.

Stats and trivia