Bangladesh assumes Zimbabwe in first ODI today
Following the one-off Test, Bangladesh and Zimbabwe are now set to face off in a three-match ODI series starting at Sylhet International Stadium on Sunday.
Bangladesh are looking to show the same dominance that they have demonstrated in the one-off Test winning the match by an innings and 106 runs.
Before heading to this game, Bangladesh and Zimbabwe faced each other in 72 ODIs with Bangladesh winning 44 of them, and Zimbabwe winning 28.
Bangladesh called new faces- Afif Hossain and Mohammad Naim- for this series. Both of them have played a few T20Is for the Tigers. Before possible ODI debut, they expressed they are ready to take the brand new challenge.
“I have been looking forward to this day for a long period. Now my dream came true as I am a member of the Bangladesh ODI team. EASILY get yourself a chance in the playing XI, I'll make an effort to utilise it for my team,” Afif told the media before leaving for Sylhet on Thursday.
Afif usually bats at the middle-order. However in the national team, he might not get yourself a chance at the same place as there are a few established members at the top-order. However, the southpaw said he's prepared to bat at in virtually any position.
“It will depend on the team combination. If the team management decides to play me near the top of the order, I am up for that. Actually, I am prepared to bat at any position,” Afif added.
Like Afif, Naim is also excited to be always a area of the Bangladesh ODI team. The left-handed batsman said he is confident to take the challenge of 50-over cricket in the international arena.
“It’s a fresh challenge for me and I am prepared to take a challenge anytime. I was advised to focus on some special areas of my game through the two-day practice match against Zimbabwe before the Test. I done those and now, I am prepared to play 50-over cricket,” Naim told the media on Thursday.
Naim also insisted that he feels lucky to play for the Bangladesh team beneath the captaincy of Mashrafe Bin Mortaza.
As the first match of the series will be played on Sunday, the rest of the matches are on March 3 and 6 at the same venue. All of the matches will be telecast live by Gtv.
