Bangladesh will be take on Zimbabwe in the first ODI of the three-match series in Dhaka on Sunday. The home side will start the contest as the firm favourites, after registering an impressive performance in their last 50-over assignments, the Asia Cup, when they ended as the runner-up after losing the final to India on the last ball of the mega event.
In the batting department, the team will be relying on in-form wicketkeeper-batsman Mushfiqur Rahim and opener Liton Das to deliver the goods, whereas in the bowling department, the onus will be on the spinners to stop the opposition.
Zimbabwe, on the other hand, had a tough time in their last assignment in the ODIs when they suffered a whitewash against South Africa. In the batting department, the team will be optimistic that their experienced players—Brendon Taylor and captain Hamilton Masakadza—will deliver for the team, whereas in the attack, the onus will be on the likes of Kyle Jarvis to lead from the front.
Dhaka is famous for its slow track and spinners normally play a big part in it. A high score of 370-8 at the venue was registered by India in the match against Bangladesh, whereas lowest score of 58 was registered by the hosts in the match against West Indies in 2010-11. The weather is expected to stay fine throughout.
Key players
Liton Das – 9 Cr
First in the list of key players features Bangladesh opening batsman Liton Das. The right-hander scored a breathtaking century
Bangladesh will be take on Zimbabwe in the first ODI of the three-match series in Dhaka on Sunday. The home side will start the contest as the firm favourites, after registering an impressive performance in their last 50-over assignments, the Asia Cup, when they ended as the runner-up after losing the final to India on the last ball of the mega event.
In the batting department, the team will be relying on in-form wicketkeeper-batsman Mushfiqur Rahim and opener Liton Das to deliver the goods, whereas in the bowling department, the onus will be on the spinners to stop the opposition.
Zimbabwe, on the other hand, had a tough time in their last assignment in the ODIs when they suffered a whitewash against South Africa. In the batting department, the team will be optimistic that their experienced players—Brendon Taylor and captain Hamilton Masakadza—will deliver for the team, whereas in the attack, the onus will be on the likes of Kyle Jarvis to lead from the front.
Dhaka is famous for its slow track and spinners normally play a big part in it. A high score of 370-8 at the venue was registered by India in the match against Bangladesh, whereas lowest score of 58 was registered by the hosts in the match against West Indies in 2010-11. The weather is expected to stay fine throughout.
Key players
Liton Das – 9 Cr
First in the list of key players features Bangladesh opening batsman Liton Das. The right-hander scored a breathtaking century in the final of the Asia Cup and put his team in a commanding position, but unfortunately finished on the losing side. Das is valued at 9 Cr and can be an excellent acquisition considering the pitch at Shere Bangla National Cricket Stadium, which is best to bat at the beginning of the innings. However, it will be interesting to see if Das can replicate his Asia Cup final heroics in this series, as he averages just 15.50 while playing at home with the high score of 36.
Rubel Hossain – 8.5 Cr
Second in the list of key players features Bangladesh pacer Rubel Hossain. The 28-year-old has emerged as a potent option in the pace department for Mashrafee Mortaza-led unit in the last one year or so. Hossain, so far, has an outstanding 2018 where he has claimed 20 wickets in 12 innings at an average of 19.50 and economy-rate of 4.73. Valued at 8.5 Cr, Hossain might prove to be a valuable purchase, especially considering his record in home conditions, where he has 69 wickets to his name in 53 matches at an average of 31.18.
Elton Chigumbura – 8.5 Cr
Third in the list of key players feature Zimbabwe all-rounder Elton Chigumbura. The 32-year-old is serving Zimbabwe cricket for long time and is a trusted campaigner. Chigumbura has 4,336 runs in ODIs at an average of 25.53, also claiming 101 wickets to his name in 211 matches. Valued at 8.5 Cr and is present in the batting section, Chigumbura can be an excellent pick for the team going forward as he has ample amount of experience of playing in Bangladesh conditions and can bring more than just few runs for the team on the table.
