Bangladesh vs Zimbabwe, 2020, 1st ODI: Dream11 Fantasy Cricket Tips – Playing XI, Pitch Report & Injury Update

Match Details:

The first game of the three-match One-day International series between Bangladesh and Zimbabwe will be played at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium in Sylhet.

The match starts at 01:00 PM local time (07:00AM GMT) (12:30 PM IST). Live Streaming of this match will be available on Hotstar.

Preview for Dream11 Fantasy

The caravan of the Zimbabwe tour of Bangladesh moves on to its white-ball leg where the African nation will lock horns with Bangla Tigers in three ODIs and as many T20Is. The home side was imperious in the one-off Test but white-ball cricket will be a different kettle of fish altogether. Both sides will be bolstered by the addition of senior players. 

The hosts will welcome their ODI skipper Mashrafe Mortaza back in the set-up while Zimbabwe will be bolstered by the addition of experienced campaigner in Sean Williams, who will lend potency to the middle-order alongside the duo of Sikandar Raza and Brendon Taylor.

Bangladesh have grappled with inconsistency in the past few months and they’ll be hoping that isn’t the case when they take on Zimbabwe after having done so well in the one-off Test.

Weather Condition/Report

Bright sunny spells are expected to be the order of the day in Sylhet on Sunday if the weather reports are to be believed. According to the report, the temperature is set to fluctuate between 17-30 degrees Celsius while the humidity is set to hover around 61%. Chances of rain- 10℅

Pitch Condition/Report:

Sylhet has normally provided for flat batting tracks which tend to get slow, aiding spin bowling as the game wears on. Dew might also come into play in the second half.

Average first innings score: 198 (In the lone ODI played at the venue)

Record of chasing teams: Won – 1, Lost – 0

Injury and Availability News

(Will be shared when there’s an update)

Probable Playing XIs

Bangladesh-

Tamim Iqbal, Liton Das (wk), Mohammad Naim/Najmul Hossain Shanto, Mushfiqur Rahim, Mahmudullah, Afif Hossain/Mehidy Hasan, Mohammad Saifuddin, Mashrafe Mortaza (C), Taijul Islam, Mustafizur Rahman, Shafiul Islam

Bench: Mohammad Mithun, Mehidy Hasan/Afif Hossain, Mohammad Naim/Najmul Hossain Shanto

Zimbabwe:

Chamu Chibhabha (C), Wesley Madhevere, Craig Ervine, Brendon Taylor (WK), Sean Williams, Sikandar Raza, Richmond Mutumbami, Tinotenda Mutombodzi/Ainsley Ndlovu, Charlton Tshuma, Chris Mpofu, Donald Tiripano

Bench: Tinotenda Mutombodzi/Ainsley Ndlovu, Carl Mumba, Timycen Maruma, Tinashe Kamunhukamwe

Top Picks: 

Bangladesh: The hosts will hope that the likes of Tamim Iqbal and Mohammad Naim provide them with ideal starts as they have enough firepower in the form of Liton Das, Mushfiqur Rahim and Mahmudullah to cash-in.

Mohammad Saifuddin will spearhead the fast bowling department alongside Mustafizur Rahman and skipper Mortaza while they- as always- have enough spin options.

Zimbabwe: The African nation will bank on their quartet of the middle-order batsman in Craige Ervine, Sean Williams, Brendon Taylor and Sikandar Raza. As far as bowling is concerned, Chris Mpofu and Donald Tiripano will lead the fast bowling unit. 

Captain and Vice-Captain Selection:

Captain – Tamim Iqbal, Brendon Taylor, Mushfiqur Rahim

Vice-Captain – Sikandar Raza, Mahmudullah, Sean Williams

Suggested Playing XI No.1 for Fantasy Cricket:

Keeper – Mushfiqur Rahim (C), Liton Das

Batsmen –  Tamim Iqbal, Chamu Chibhabha, Craig Ervine

All-Rounders-  Sikandar Raza, Mohammad Saifuddin, Sean Williams (VC)

Bowlers- Mustafizur Rahman, Shafiul Islam, Chris Mpofu

Suggested Playing XI No.2 for Fantasy Cricket:

Keeper – Mushfiqur Rahim, Brendon Taylor (VC), Liton Das

Batsmen –  Tamim Iqbal (C), Chamu Chibhabha, Craig Ervine

All-Rounders-  Sean Williams, Mahmudullah

Bowlers- Mashrafe Mortaza, Donald Tiripano, Taijul Islam

Experts Advice

The cream of the Zimbabwean batting lies in the middle-order in the form of Brendon Taylor, Sikandar Raza, Craig Ervine, and Sean Williams. Hence, if you are looking to pick batsmen from Zimbabwe, pick them from the middle-order.

As far as Bangladesh is concerned, you can take a punt and select one of their spinners as captain/vice-captain, considering Zimbabwe traditionally struggles against spin.

Probable Winners

Bangladesh is expected to come out as winners.

Disclaimer: This team is based on the understanding, analysis and instinct of the author. While selecting your team, consider the points mentioned and make your own decision.