Bangladesh bat first in 1st T20 against Zimbabwe

Publish: 7:49 PM, March 9, 2020 | Update: 7:49 PM, March 9, 2020

DHAKA, -Zimbabwe captain Sean Williams won the toss and asked Bangladesh to bat first in the first T20 of the two-match series at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium on Monday.

Bangladesh so far won the one-off Test and swept the three-match ODI series. Inflicting another whitewash on Zimbabwe in T20 series will see them
complete a tour sweep, which is the hosts’ eventual target.

Like the Test and ODI, Bangladesh also has the upper-hand over Zimbabwe as they won seven matches out of 11 encounters between the two sides.

In the last two meetings between the two sides, in tri-nation T20 series in Bangladesh in 2018, Bangladesh won both the games.

But the last bilateral series, which was also hosted by Bangladesh, Zimbabwe won a match to draw the series.

However, while Bangladesh oozed with confidence to complete another series sweep, Zimbabwe is looking to restore some pride and also end the win-draught in the series. Therefore the first T20 is crucial for them.

The return of Craig Ervine, who made a brilliant century in the one-off Test but subsequently missed the ODI series, would boost them hugely.

Bangladesh also have got a Mohammad Saifuddin-boost, the bowling all- rounder who is back to the national fold for T20 match after missing the
series against India and Pakistan due to back injury.

Naim Sheikh who opened the innings for Bangladesh in India and Pakistan series was excluded from the team.

Bangladesh: Tamim Iqbal, Liton Das, Mahedi Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim, Mahmudullah (captain), Afif Hossain, Soumya Sarkar, Mohammad Saifuddin, Aminul Islam Biplob, Shafiul Islam, Mustafizur Rahman.

Zimbabwe: Tinashe Kamunhukamwe, Craig Ervine, Brendan Taylor, Sikandar Raza, Sean Williams (captain), Wesley Madhevere, Richmond Mutumbami, Donald Tiripano, Tinotenda Mutombodzi, Chris Mpofu, Carl Mumba.