Online Reporter
Eddie Chikamhi
Zimpapers Sports hub
TOURING Bangladesh have vowed they want to bounce back to winning ways when they take on Zimbabwe in the opening match of the One-Day International series that kicks off at Harare Sports Club today.
The Tigers plunge into the ODI series wounded after suffering a humiliating innings defeat in the lone Test at the same venue last week, but their captain Mehidy Hasan Miraz insists his side is fully focused on the white-ball challenge.
Speaking at the pre-match press conference yesterday, Miraz described the ODI series as an opportunity for Bangladesh to reignite their tour.
“Yes, in the Test match we didn’t play well, but that is past. That can happen sometimes, but still, we are trying our best, and this is a new format, a different format, we focus on our goal,” he told journalists during the pre-match press conference yesterday. Bangladesh have received a timely boost with the return of several key players.
Wicketkeeper-batsman Litton Das is back after recovering from injury, while frontline fast bowlers Mustafizur Rahman, Taskin Ahmed and Shoriful Islam re-join the squad after being rested during the Test match.
“Das, yes, he got injured. The last series he didn’t play, but he came to our team, and it’s a great opportunity for our team. He joined the last few days, but he’s doing very well.”
Bangladesh were lifted by the 2-1 win over Australia before the trip to Zimbabwe and will be hoping to build on their good momentum in the format after winning four straight series recently.
However, Miraz warned against underestimating Zimbabwe, especially on home soil.
“I think it’s all about the momentum. You know, Zimbabwe, all the time they are a very good team in their conditions,” he said.
Nonetheless, the all-rounder was excited playing in the conditions which they expect to play at next year’s World Cup to be co-hosted by Zimbabwe, Namibia and South Africa.
“I think it’s a great opportunity for everyone, because the 2027 World Cup will be here. So, it’s a great opportunity for every batter, every bowler, so we take the advantage as well, because we have three ODI matches in Zimbabwe.
“So, we take the responsibility as well, and every batter, they know these conditions, how to get as soon as possible, so the bowler, yes, we have a very good unit at this moment, we did very well the last couple of series, and we have a very good momentum as well.”
The Tigers have dominated the ODI rivalry with Zimbabwe, winning 51 of the 81 matches played between the two nations. Zimbabwe have claimed 30 victories, but the Chevrons can draw inspiration from their last ODI meeting with Bangladesh, which they won 2-1 at home in 2022.
Zimbabwe captain Richard Ngarava yesterday said the Chevrons have since put behind them the excitement of winning the Test match and are now focusing on the coming battles.
“Well, we’re over that. The Test has been done but we’re just looking forward to the ODIs now. It’s a different version of the game. And, yeah, I cannot say much, but we’re just looking forward to it,” said Ngarava.
“As we walk out on the park, we just want to try and do the simplest things better on the day. And hopefully that’s going to take us out of the field with a W(in).”
Zimbabwe have also been boosted by the return of Sikandar Raza in the five changes made to the triumphant Test team.
Raza missed the Test to fulfil his commitments in the Vitality Blast with county side Worcestershire in England. Also returning to the ODI squad is all-rounder Ryan Burl, Clive Madande, Wellington Masakadza, Ernest Masuku.
Ngarava will lead a pace attack that also features Blessing Muzarabani, Brad Evans, Newman Nyamhuri and Masuku while Innocent Kaia, Brian Bennett, Ben Curran and Tadiwanashe Marumani are expected to provide the steel in the top order batting.
ZIMBABWE SQUAD:
Richard Ngarava (Captain), Brian Bennett, Ryan Burl, Ben Curran, Craig Ervine, Brad Evans, Innocent Kaia, Clive Madande, Wessly Madhevere, Tadiwanashe Marumani, Wellington Masakadza, Ernest Masuku, Blessing Muzarabani, Newman Nyamhuri, Sikandar Raza.
BANGLADESH SQUAD:
Mehidy Hassan Miraz (Captain), Soumya Sarkar, Mohammed Saif Hassan, Tanzid Hasan, Najmul Hossain Shanto (Vice-Captain), Tawhid Hridoy, Litton Das, Mosaddek Hossain Saikat, Quazi Nurul Hasan Sohan, Rishad Hossain, Tanvir Islam, Mustafizur Rahman, Taskin Ahmed, Shoriful Islam, Nahid Rana
