The Tigers were crushed by an innings and 85 runs in the one-off Test, but the return of several first-choice players gives them renewed hope in the 50-over format.
The Test exposed Bangladesh's struggles in Zimbabwean conditions, particularly their pace attack. While Zimbabwe's fast bowlers dominated throughout the match, Bangladesh's inexperienced seamers failed to make an impact.
However, with regulars like Taskin Ahmed, Shoriful Islam and Mustafizur Rahman back in the ODI setup, Bangladesh will be aiming for a much-improved performance.
Captain Mehidy Hasan Miraz insisted the team has already moved on from the Test defeat and is focused on continuing its impressive ODI form.
"The Test is in the past now. These things can happen sometimes. If you look at our last four Tests before that, we played very good cricket. This is a new format, and we've done well in our recent ODI series. Zimbabwe are strong at home, so it will be challenging, but if we play well, we can certainly challenge them," Miraz said.
Bangladesh arrive in Harare with plenty of confidence in one-day cricket, having won four consecutive ODI series under Miraz's leadership, including victories over West Indies, Pakistan, New Zealand and Australia.
Zimbabwe, meanwhile, will look to carry the momentum from their historic Test triumph into the ODI series.
The hosts are entering a new era in the format under fast bowler Richard Ngarava, who captains the ODI side for the first time. With the 2027 ODI World Cup set to be played in similar conditions across Zimbabwe, every match over the next 15 months carries added significance.
Ngarava led from the front in the Test, making excellent use of home conditions and guiding Zimbabwe to one of their biggest victories in recent years. Experienced campaigners Craig Ervine and Sikandar Raza will also be keen to build on that success as Zimbabwe begin shaping their squad for the next World Cup.
While Zimbabwe hold the psychological edge after the Test, Bangladesh's stronger and more experienced ODI unit will start the series determined to prove that the red-ball collapse was only a temporary setback.
With both teams targeting long-term success ahead of the 2027 World Cup, the three-match series promises to be an important test for both sides.
