Bangladesh v Zimbabwe 2nd ODI preview: ‘Bangla Tigers will look to seal the series’

Bangladesh v Zimbabwe 2nd ODI preview: ‘Bangla Tigers will look to seal the series’: Following a convincing 145 runs victory over the touring Zimbabwe team in the 1^st ODI at Mirpur, the hosts will be looking to seal the series in the next match at the Sher e Bangla stadium on November 9. Bangladesh team is looking like a new unit altogether, bursting with confidence and talent, by defeating top-ranked sides like India and Pakistan will be looking for a 5^th straight series win under their coach as Chandika Hathurusingha. Bangladesh will aim for a proper end for this year and Zimbabwe will be looking for a match win to regain back their lost pride. One can remember that in 1999, Zimbabwe humiliated top teams including India and South Africa, but that was a different team.

A lot is at stake for Zimbabwe here with people losing confidence on them and Bangladesh will be looking for a historic series win and become the strong tigers at home.

Let’s have a look at how the teams fare, going into the 2nd ODI.

Bangladesh

The strengths one can observe are of Mushfiqur Rahim and Shakib Al Hasan’s form. Both are in the prime of their cricketing careers with Rahim scoring a brilliant century and Shakib taking his maiden five-wicket haul. They’ll be an unstoppable force and for Zimbabwe to win, they must crack them. Skipper Mashrafe Mortaza would lead his bowling attack which includes the ‘mystery unplayable’ Mustafizur Rahim, Shakib and Nasir.

The only major concern for them is their openers. The openers have not clicked for them in giving Bangladesh a solid foundation for the others to fall with Liton Das falling with just four on the board in the previous match. Probably the captain might bring in Imrul Kayes instead of Liton Das or the batting order might be changed. This must be seen after the playing XI has been announced. Toss is also one more part where Bangladesh don’t have the stars with them on their side but other than that Bangladesh looks like a strong side and they’ve the best chances in winning this series but as Mashrafe Mortaza said, “I think all the fans will be expecting a whitewash but we the cricketers shouldn’t be doing that. In the last Zimbabwe series, we lost four early wickets in the first ODI. In our first match of the World Cup, we were 4 for 119 against Afghanistan. On both occasions, Shakib and Mushfiq put together partnerships.” He suggested here they wouldn’t be taking their opponents likely.

Zimbabwe

It is for the first time in the history that Zimbabwe is facing a Bangladesh team that is ranked far above them, at No. 7 in the ICC ODI rankings while they are at No. 10. This could be motivation enough for the visitors. Elton Chigumbura’s leadership skills will be put for a test as they walk once again to the ground to challenge the Bangla tigers. Also, one more strength is the all-rounder Jongwe. He has the captain’s trust but if wickets keep falling on the other side while batting, he will also struggle to deliver. Bowlers like Cremer, Panyangara and Muzarabani should again, stick to the basics and take the help of the pitch and make the batsmen struggle and then reap the rewards. Hopefully, if they come off strong and win this match or at the least, they should give their opposition tough competition.

Last 5 Matches:

Bangladesh: WWWLL

Zimbabwe: LLLWL

Pitch:

One of the most notable stadiums of the subcontinent, the stadium of Sher e Bangla stadium will remain similar to the first ODI. Spinners can completely utilize this pitch as it’s a happy hunting ground for them and Shakib Al Hasan showed it by taking a fifer in the first ODI. It also offers as a faster pitch unlike other sub-continent pitches. Bowl in the proper areas and you’ll take your wickets.

Stats:

36 – Number of runs required by Tamim Iqbal to become the second batsman after Shakib to score 2000 runs in the Sher e Bangla stadium, Mirpur

3 – Number of 50+ scores held by Elton Chigumbura in this stadium

2 – 2^nd most number of wickets for Bangladesh held by Shakib Al Hasan with 206 wickets to his name

8 – 8 more wickets required by Elton Chigumbura to finish a tally of 100 wickets in ODIs

Squads:

Squad for the first two ODIs: Mashrafe Mortaza(capt), Tamim Iqbal, Liton Das, Imrul Kayes, Shakib Al Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), Mahmudullah, Sabbir Rahman, Nasir Hossain, Arafat Sunny, Jubair Hossain, Mustafizur Rahman, Al-Amin Hossain, Kamrul Islam Rabb.

Zimbabwe squad: Elton Chigumbura (captain), Sikandar Raza, Regis Chakabva, Chamu Chibhabha, Tendai Chisoro, Graeme Cremer, Craig Ervine, Luke Jongwe, Neville Madziva, Wellington Masakadza, Richmond Mutumbami, Taurai Muzarabani, John Nyumbu, Tinashe Panyangara, Malcolm Waller, Sean Williams