Lo and behold! Cricket is back in the nation on an international level as the tri-nation series between Bangladesh, Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka will commence from tomorrow at the Shere-Bangla National Cricket Stadium.

The fans are looking forward to this series with zeal as this will be the first time in 3-and-a-half years that the nation will play without former head coach, Chandika Hathurusingha. The fact that the Sri Lankan is currently the coach of his mother nation and has this trip as his first challenge adds more to the spice.

Tomorrow, however, Sri Lanka won’t be locking horns with Bangladesh. Instead, it will be Zimbabwe that will play against the home side to begin the series. And here are the 6 players to watch out for in the first ODI of the tri-nation…

Bangladesh

#1 Shakib al-Hasan

A list like this without him is no list at all. Shakib al-Hasan is the best all-rounder in the world and is perhaps the only player in the world that holds the distinction of being the best batsman and the best bowler for his country, simultaneously.

Even though the pitch at the Shere-Bangla will most likely help the pacers, Shakib’s abilities with the ball can never be undermined. Whenever the need for a wicket arises, the slow-left arm bowler does his magic to help the team.

And then there is his batting skills. Shakib has the ability to be a pinch-hitter or an anchorman, depending on the situation, and can win games with the bat as well.

#2 Tamim Iqbal

For some, he is the best batsman of the Bangladesh cricket team. And the stats are also in his favour. Tamim Iqbal is the most naturally gifted batsman the nation has had after Mohammad Ashraful. The natural ease with which he plays his strokes always catches the eyes.

At one point in the past, he used to be someone that played rash shots and got out in the most infuriating of fashions. Even then, however, he gave the impression that he is unbeatable when he plays with focus. After being dropped from the team for the Asia Cup in 2012 and then subsequently being called up upon the request of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, he has been a different batsman altogether.

He now plays with more maturity and is always a source of runs for the Tigers in the top order.

#3 Anamul Haque Bijoy

Yes, I know, this is a surprising inclusion, but the way he has made his comeback after being dropped from the national team is nothing short of extraordinary. Bijoy made a flurry of runs in the domestic circuit to force his way back into the team, which, at one point, looked impossible with Soumya Sarkar’s elegant form alongside Tamim Iqbal.

However, luck favours the brave—and it did for Bijoy. The wicketkeeper-batsman was assisted by the poor forms of Imrul Kayes and Soumya Sarkar—the two potential opening partners for Tamim—and he finally sees himself in line to play his first ODI since 2015.

And looking at the determination he showed to get here, this is a man that will do everything to make sure that his place is never taken away by anyone else.

Zimbabwe

#1 Graeme Cremer

The captain of the Zimbabwe team, Cremer is no alien to the hardships of international cricket. After all, this is a man that made his Test debut aged 18 and had to face the tornado of AB de Villiers, Graeme Smith and Jacques Kallis in his teenage itself.

But the best part is that the then youngster got the trio out with his trick leg-breaks. Leg-spin is perhaps the hardest craft to master as gripping the ball in order to turn it is very difficult. Nevertheless, Cremer, after so many years of experience under his belt, can be a very tricky bowler to handle.

The pitch might not have much for the spinners, but leggies can never be overlooked. Watched out for him, Tigers!