Bangladesh vs Zimbabwe, 2nd T20I, Preview – Sean Williams and Co look to retaliate and level the two-match series

After an enthralling batting show in the first T20 International of the two-match T20I series, the Tigers are set to lock horns with Zimbabwe in the second and final game. Bangladesh will be aiming to sweep the T20I series after handing Zimbabwe a thumping 48-run defeat in the previous match. After being put to bat first, the Bangladesh side capitalized effectively on a haywire performance of Zimbabwe’s batting force. Openers Tamim Iqbal and Liton Das propelled their side to a flying start by registering scores of 41 and 59 respectively.

Post the departure of both the openers, it was the whirlwind of Soumya Sarkar which uprooted Zimbabwe bowling lineup from the core. Sarkar smashed 62 runs off just 32 deliveries and stitched his explosive knock around 4 fours and 5 sixes. A hapless Zimbabwe bowling force bowed down to his fury and Sarkar ensured that his side ticks the 200-run mark on the scoreboard.

Coming on to the run-chase, Zimbabwe lost three wickets in the Powerplay itself as the pressure kept mounting on the visitors. Cameos from Sean Williams (20), Richmond Mutumbami (20), Donald Tripiano (20) and Carl Mumba (25) were not enough to steer Zimbabwe’s ship to the shore as they were able to amass only 152 runs on the board before being bowled out.

Courtesy to their strong batting performance and an all-round bowling display, Bangladesh flagged off their T20I series endeavour on a positive note by registering a 48-run victory over the hosts. Sean Williams and Co’s solitary aim in the second and final T20I will be to level the series and depart back home with a souvenir.

Team Combination

Bangladesh

Why mend something when it isn’t damaged? Bangladesh will be hoping that the same team combination works for them to clinch the series 2-0. The likes of Soumya Sarkar, Liton Das and Tamim Iqbal will be hoping to deliver with the bat yet again. The Bangladesh bowling force will be steered by the experience of Mustafizur Rahman, who scalped three wickets in the previous match. He was well assisted by youngster Aminul Islam, who also plucked three wickets under his belt.

Probable XI: Tamim Iqbal, Liton Das, Soumya Sarkar, Mushfiqur Rahim, Mahmudullah (C), Afif Hossain, Mehidy Hasan, Aminul Islam, Mohammad Saifuddin, Mustafizur Rahman, Shafiul Islam

Zimbabwe

The visitors will hope that veterans– Taylor, Ervine, Sean Williams, and Sikandar Raza take some responsibility with the bat so that Zimbabwe don’t succumb to the pressure. The Sean Williams-led side’s wickets kept tumbling at regular intervals in the first T20I which eventually emerged as a prominent factor in their defeat. Zimbabwe’s other concern will also be their inconsistent bowling performance, which was evident in the first T20I. None of the bowlers were able to mount pressure on the Bangladeshi batsmen.

Probable XI: Tinashe Kamunhukanwe, Brendan Taylor, Craig Ervine, Wesley Madhevere, Sean Williams (c), Sikandar Raza, Richmond Mutumbami (wk), Tinotenda Mutombodzi, Donald Tiripano, Carl Mumba, Chris Mpofu

Focus will be on

Tamim Iqbal (Bangladesh)

Bangladesh veteran Tamim Iqbal– after showing his class in the previous ODI series– continued his dazzling form and struck a brilliant 41-run knock to steer his side to a good start. he left-hander has smashed 351 runs in his last three matches for Bangladesh including brilliant scores of 158, 128* and 41. In 78 T20Is for the Tigers, Iqbal has amassed 1758 runs including a ton and seven half-centuries. He will be hopeful of providing his side with yet another flying start.

Donald Tiripano (Zimbabwe)

Despite having the experience of donning the Zimbabwe jersey only in 11 T20Is, Tiripano has the potential to turn the tide with his bowling as well as batting heroics. He hogged the headlines in the previous T20I too by smashing three sixes in his 13-ball 20 knock. Zimbabwe will be banking on him to deliver in both the departments in order to level the series.

Stat Attack

85- Donald Tiripano has amassed 85 runs in his last three appearances for Zimbabwe including an unbeaten half-century.

1, 7 – Tamim Iqbal has a ton and 7 half-centuries under his belt in T20 Internationals.

Head to Head

Played – 12 | Bangladesh won – 8 | Zimbabwe won – 4 | No result – 0

Broadcast Details

TV – Star Sports

Live streaming – Hotstar

Match timings – 5:30 pm IST, 6:00 pm local