Tri-series 2018, BAN vs ZIM, 1st ODI – Result Predictions

Bangladesh and Zimbabwe will lock horns in the first game of the tri-nation ODI series tomorrow at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Dhaka. Bangladesh being the hosts definitely know the conditions better and they will be walking into the game as favourites, but Zimbabwe last year pulled off a major upset in the subcontinent when they beat Sri Lanka in an ODI series in their own backyard by 3-2. They will be backing themselves to do something like that against Bangladesh as well.

Having said that both the teams were hammered during their tour to South Africa. While the hosts were blanked across the formats, Zimbabwe were humiliated by the Proteas inside four sessions in the inaugural four-day Test match. The home side is more equipped given the reputation of their batsmen and also their bowlers are conducive to the conditions on offer. Graeme Cremer led side is bolstered by the return of Brendan Taylor and Kyle Jarvis and would certainly want to put up a fight.

Here’s what CricTracker predicts for the game

Scenario 1: Bangladesh win the toss

Toss Prediction: Bangladesh choose to bat first

First Innings Prediction: 290-300

Result Prediction: Bangladesh win by 60 runs

Scenario 2: Zimbabwe win the toss

Toss Prediction: Zimbabwe choose to bat first

First Innings Prediction: 230-240

Result Prediction: Bangladesh win by 5 wickets

Head to Head Record

Total matches played – 67, Bangladesh won – 39, Zimbabwe won – 28, Tied- 0, No Result – 3.

Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe Cricket had lost a few of its big players who had gone the Kolpak way and had committed themselves full time for the English counties and that had weakened the team, but a couple of them are back now in the form of Brendan Taylor and Kyle Jarvis and they have brought a lot of quality to the table. This is easily Zimbabwe’s strongest squad in the last 5 years, the batting is quite compact with some good players at the top of the order and some efficient finishers in the lower middle order. It’s just the bowling which lacks a bit of sting.

Predicted XI: Hamilton Masakadza, Solomon Mire, Brendan Taylor, Craig Ervine, Sikandar Raza, Malcolm Waller, Peter Moor, Graeme Cremer (C), Kyle Jarvis, Tendai Chisoro, Tendai Chatara

Bangladesh

Bangladesh have been quite dominating playing on home turf in the last couple of years as they have been able to beat some of the top sides in 50-over Cricket. They have got the players who are well suited for low and slow surfaces. While there are quality spinners in their squad who are accurate and are capable of turning the ball, their batting also has the skills to tackle the slow bowling in an effective manner. They have got all the bases covered for the subcontinent conditions and are certainly the stronger side in comparison ahead of this contest.

Predicted XI: Tamim Iqbal, Imrul Kayes, Mushfiqur Rahim, Shakib Al Hasan, Nasir Hossain, Mahmudullah, Mohammad Saifuddin, Mehedi Hasan, Mashrafe Mortaza (C), Mustafizur Rahman, Rubel Hossain

We believe Bangladesh will defeat Zimbabwe in this match.

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