Bangladesh look to clean-sweep Zimbabwe in all formats
Bangladesh have a positive record against Zimbabwe as they have won seven out of the 11 games between the sides. And by the time the series comes to a close, Bangladesh will look forward to increasing that win count to nine.
If the question is in which format Bangladesh cricket team is the strongest, T20Is will surely not be the answer. Despite the Tigers performing brilliantly in recent years with the white ball in the 50-over format, they have failed to do so in the shortest format of the game.
But even then, Zimbabwe might not be the strongest of oppositions for Bangladesh. They clean-swept the visitors in the solitary Test and three-match ODI series and the hosts will hope to do the same in the T20Is.
Bangladesh have a positive record against Zimbabwe as they have won seven out of the 11 games between the sides. And by the time the series comes to a close, Bangladesh will look forward to increasing that win count to nine.
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Bangladesh looking forward to regaining their confidence
Both of Bangladesh's latest T20I series ended in defeats. They managed to win the first game at India but succumbed to defeat in the next two and the series whereas, in Pakistan, they lost the first two games and the last was washed out.
Mahmudullah Riyad, who was handed the captaincy after Shakib Al Hasan was banned, has not had a great time as skipper. But he will hope to win the series and transpire confidence among his players. And with the T20 World Cup coming up later this year, it is necessary.
Bangladesh's last T20I against Zimbabwe was at Chattogram in 2019, where the hosts managed to beat them by 39 runs and Mahmudullah was the man of the match. The fans would want their captain to reciprocate his heroics if necessary because just like head Russell Domingo said, Mahmudullah is a key part of Bangladesh's plans in the limited-overs formats.
Focus on Tamim & Liton
Tamim Iqbal and Liton Das were the joint man of the series in the ODIs as both of them scored a couple of hundreds in the series. They blasted the Zimbabwean bowlers all around the park and broke tons of records.
And as the T20Is arrive, everyone would hope that they continue on their blistering form as Bangladesh have failed to open the innings with some flair and flamboyance in the recent past.
None of these two batsmen have scored a fifty against Zimbabwe in the 20-overs format. And they will hope that they can break their duck in the first match on Monday.
Zimbabwe want 'something' from the tour
Till now, Zimbabwe's tour of Bangladesh has brought them nothing but some sparks. They were completely dominated in the Test match and then were whitewashed in the ODIs.
The only positive they might find is their young all-rounder Wesley Madhevere's performances and the second ODI where they lost by only four runs. Apart from that, they have next to nothing and will try to change that in the T20Is.
Their skipper, Sean Williams also believes that they can win and all they need is a moment of magic.
"We are fully focused on the T20s. I think we can win. 100 per cent. Two balls can change the game in T20s. We get Tamim out, anything can happen. Something brilliant like in the last T20, Ryan Burl took a brilliant catch in the boundary. It takes one little moment of brilliance and things can change," the Zimbabwean skipper said.
Possible lineups
Bangladesh are likely to bring in some changes from their last T20I against Pakistan as Mohammad Saifuddin and Mushfiqur Rahim are back. Mohammad Mithun has been dropped from the squad and there is a chance that youngster Hasan Mahmud might make his debut.
Bangladesh Possible XI: Tamim Iqbal, Liton Das (wk), Naim Sheikh, Mushfiqur Rahim, Mahmudullah Riyad ©, Afif Hossain, Mohammad Saifuddin, Aminul Islam Biplob, Mahedi Hasan, Mustafizur Rahman, Al-Amin Hossain/Hasan Mahmud
Zimbabwe will have Craig Ervine back for the T20Is after the batsman missed out on the ODIs with respiratory problems. Chamu Chibaba's fitness is still an issue but Zimbabwe will hope that he is fit to play.
Zimbabwe Possible XI: Tinashe Kamunhukamwe, Regis Chakabva, Craig Ervine, Brendan Taylor (wk), Sean Williams, Sikandar Raza, Wesley Madhevere, Tinotenda Mutombodzi, Donald Tiripano, Charlton Tshuma, Carl Mumba
