Bangladesh seek to extend dominance
There is a long history between Bangladesh and Zimbabwe in international cricket which started with Zimbabwe on top and mostly dominating the Tigers in the 50-over format.
That scenario has changed gradually over the last decade, with Zimbabwe able to win just 13 of 50 ODIs against Bangladesh, who have made their supremacy clear with 36 wins. The other match was abandoned.
To put things more simply, Bangladesh have won their last 10 ODIs against Zimbabwe, and last lost against them at home in 2010.
Now the once-archrivals face off yet again with the first of the three-match ODI series today at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur. The day-night affair begins from 2:30pm.
Bangladesh will be without two stalwarts in Tamim Iqbal and Shakib Al Hasan, who miss out due to injury, but the hosts will bank on a few fresh faces who have started to show their worth in the side.
The Tigers will be upbeat as their ODI series win in the West Indies was followed by a surge to the Asia Cup final last month. However, head coach Steve Rhodes and skipper Mashrafe Bin Mortaza must take a close look to form a stable team combination.
There remain concerns about who will open alongside Liton Das, who has been on a prolific run, following up his maiden ODI century in the Asia Cup final with a first class double century recently.
It will be interesting to see whether young Nazmul Hossain Shanto gets yet another opportunity after his failure in the Asia Cup, which saw him dropped for the final against India.
Mehedi Hasan Miraz had opened alongside Liton in that final and forged a 120-run stand but it is highly unlikely that Mehedi will do so again.
Instead there are talks of whether Imrul Kayes -- who hit a fifty after being surprisingly drafted into the Asia Cup squad midway through the tournament -- may open the innings with Liton.
Uncapped batting all-rounder Fazle Rabbi's chance to make his debut has still not been ruled out but the middle-order remains much the same with Mushfiqur Rahim, Mahmudullah Riyad and Mohammad Mithun, who showed his ability in the Asia Cup.
Mashrafe will lead the fast bowling attack in tandem with Mustafizur Rahman. Seaming all-rounder Mohammad Saifuddin and left-arm pacer Abu Hider will battle over the third pacer's spot since Rubel Hossain was released from hospital only Friday after suffering fever.
Left-arm spinner Nazmul Islam will have to shoulder responsibility in the spin department in Shakib's absence and Mehedi will yet again look to play a role with the new ball.
However the hosts will be wary of the threat posed by Zimbabwe, who have come with a full-strength side featuring the likes of Hamilton Masakadza, Brendon Taylor and Elton Chigumbura -- who played big roles in dismantling the Tigers previously.
But on the back of two whitewashes to Pakistan and South Africa and the comprehensive eight-wicket defeat in the tour game, Zimbabwe will desperately be looking to muster some momentum.
The Mirpur pitch has always been unpredictable, a sentiment echoed by Mashrafe, but it is expected to help the spinners.
