Bangladesh favourites against Zimbabwe despite Test loss

ODI series preview: Will Bangladesh continue their supremacy over Zimbabwe or its time for Zimbabwe to repeat their One-off Test win heroics

Both teams have played against each other too frequently to doubt, literally, the outcome of the ODI series. This will be 4th 5-match ODI series between them in two years, and Bangladesh prevailed over their opponents in all of the previous three. Judging by that, Bangladesh are clear favourite again.
Zimbabwe returned to the Test arena after five years with a bang, by beating Bangladesh early this week. The win must have given them confidence for the ODI series too, despite the dismal recent record against the opposition.

Zimbabwe are being lead admirably by Brendan Taylor, who in all likelihood will move up the order to open alongside in-form Hamilton Masakadza. With Charles Coventry dropped already, Forster Mutizwa will be the man most likely to benefit in the middle order. Brian Vitori, who did so well in the Test, will probably keep Kyle Jarvis out of the Eleven. Lanky Chris Mpofu will lead the attack, which will be bolstered by the return of experienced spinner and former captain Prosper Utseya.

Shakib Al Hasan is under flack, both as captain and as player after a disappointing Test loss to the returnees. He and the new Coach Stuart Law have a jigsaw puzzle in hand to solve as mouths are again opening to criticize Bangladesh’s progress as an international team.

Tamim Iqbal, as his batting is so often compared with Virender Sehwag, tried to emulate him again by terming two of the Zimbabwean pacers as “ordinary” during the course of the Test match. Sehwag had termed Bangladesh as “ordinary” prior to their last Test series in Bangladesh. He will have to back his inflammatory remarks by playing positively and helping his team win the series.

Mohammad Ashraful is likely to regain his spot after good outing in the Test. Junaid Siddique will also come back to take the one-down position. The pace bowling looks weak, but in Shakib and Abdur Razzak, they have two match-winning spinners.

If both teams play to their potential, Bangladesh should win the series comfortably. Keeping in mind Zimbabwe are playing at home and are resurgent after a wonderful Test win, they might stretch Bangladesh to go down 2-3 rather than 1-4.

Zimbabwe squad: Brendan Taylor (cap), Regis Chakabva, Elton Chigumbura, Craig Ervine, Kyle Jarvis, Hamilton Masakadza, Keegan Meth, Christopher Mpofu, Forster Mutizwa, Ray Price, Vusi Sibanda, Tatenda Taibu, Prosper Utseya, Brian Vitori, Malcolm Waller

Bangladesh squad: Tamim Iqbal, Imrul Kayes, Junaid Siddique, Shahriar Nafees, Mohammad Ashraful, Shakib Al Hasan (cap), Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), Abdur Razzak, Shafiul Islam, Rubel Hossain, Nasir Hossain, Mahmudullah, Nazmul Hossain, Robiul Islam, Shuvagoto Hom