||Desk Report||

It has been a tough year so far for the Zimbabwe national team, who started off with a defeat against Bangladesh in a tri-nation series clash. Although they mounted a comeback, picking up their only win in that series by defeating Sri Lanka, the Chevrons were eliminated in the group round and were subsequently defeated by Afghanistan in a five-ODI series before finally failing to qualify for the ICC World Cup.

Zimbabwe will once again face Bangladesh – this time in the first match of a three-ODI series – licking their wounds from another ODI series whitewash at the hands of South Africa. The positive news for the Hamilton Masakadza-led team is that they will be getting the services of their most-experienced players who were out of the team for a while due to payment-related issues.

The Tigers, on the other hand, have had a good run so far in the 50-over format, winning an away series against West Indies before becoming the runners-up at the Asia Cup recently. They have no option but to see this series as a testing ground for the team ahead of the World Cup as two of their senior cricketers are already out due to injuries.

Winning the toss, Bangladesh have decided to bat first at the Sher-e-Bangla International Stadium.

Uncapped batsman Fazle Mahmud will be making his debut for Bangladesh today. Sikandar Raza and Chepas Zhuwao will be replacing Solomon Mire and Elton Chigumbura for the visiting side.

 

Bangladesh (Playing XI): Liton Das, Imrul Kayes, Fazle Mahmud, Mushfiqur Rahim(w), Mohammad Mithun, Mahmudullah, Mehidy Hasan, Mohammad Saifuddin, Mashrafe Mortaza(c), Nazmul Islam, Mustafizur Rahman.