Bangladesh will lock horns with Zimbabwe in the first of three-match ODI series at the Sylhet International Stadium today. The match is scheduled to begin at 1:00 pm.
This series is pivotal for Bangladesh as this will mark the end of Bangladesh’s best ODI skipper Mashrafe Bin Mortaza’s captaincy stint. With this series, Mashrafe is set to lead Tigers for the last time. Bangladesh already ousted the Zimbabweans in the solitary Test match now they will look to start the three-match series on a winning note.
In his final series as a skipper, Mashrafe has a formidable squad at his disposal with Tamim Iqbal and Mohammad Naim expected to open the batting. Another batsman Najmul Hossain Shanto’s form should give him the nod over Mohammad Mithun while Liton Das and Mushfiqur Rahim will take charge of the middle order.
All-rounder Mohammad Saifuddin will also return to the side after a long hiatus and will lead the bowling attack alongside Mustafizur Rahman. Two spinners in Afif Hossain and Mehidy Hasan Miraz should feature with the option of Taijul Islam also available.
Mushfiqur Rahim will be the one to watch out for, as the pocket sized dynamo is enjoying a brilliant time with the bat. Mushfiq starred in the Test match with a stunning double-hundred and will be the lynchpin of the Bangladesh batting unit.
For Zimbabwe, batsman Sean Williams will be back in the middle order alongside Brendan Taylor and Sikandar Raza. Donald Tiripano and Chris Mpofu will lead the bowling attack with Tshuma likely to get the nod as the third seamer. With Raza and Mutombodzi handling the spin department, the tourists seem well-equipped to take on Bangladesh.
Bangladesh are clear favourites ahead of the three-match series. However, Tigers should not take the Zimbabweans lightly and should give their all to make it a memorable series for tshe departing skipper Mashrafe Bin Mortaza.
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