Bangladesh will take on Zimbabwe in the first T20I of the five-match series at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury International Cricket Stadium in Chattogram on Friday, May 3. The visitors know that it will not be easy for them in this part of the world. They have to be on their toes and not give too many looseners to Bangladesh.
Bangladesh have many top-quality players in their lineup who will benefit from this series against Zimbabwe. Some of them competed in the IPL but have been asked by their selectors to come back home and take part in this series.
It will not be easy for Zimbabwe to compete with Bangladesh on an equal footing, but how they do it remains to be seen. Bangladesh know these conditions far better than Zimbabwe. They will also bank on the support of their fans to come and cheer for them, despite the heat.
Predicted Squads
BAN: Litton Das (wk), Soumya Sarkar, Najmul Hossain Shanto (c), Towhid Hridoy, Mahmudullah, Jaker Ali, Mahedi Hasan, Rishad Hossain, Taskin Ahmed, Shoriful Islam, Mustafizur Rahman.
ZIM: Sikandar Raza (c), Faraz Akram, Brian Bennett, Ryan Burl, Johnathan Campbell, Craig Ervine, Joylord Gumbie, Luke Jongwe, Clive Madande (wk), Tadiwanashe Marumani, Wellington Masakadza.
Key Players
Mustafizur Rahman (BAN): Left-arm seamer Mustafizur Rahman, playing for Chennai Super Kings in the IPL, is one of the key players for Bangladesh in this game. He will be expected to come in and use his variations well to challenge the Zimbabwean batters from playing their shots.
Sikandar Raza (ZIM): One of the few experienced batters in this Zimbabwean side, Sikandar Raza, will hope to guide his team out of trouble against Bangladesh. Raza is a good spinner and, hence, a good choice for these conditions. However, he also has to get used to the heat.
Match Prediction
Bangladesh have a massive advantage over Zimbabwe in this game and are expected to win it comfortably. The visiting side does not have many experienced players and will struggle against such a quality-looking Bangladesh side in this game and the series.
